History

History

Looking at the Legacy of Bayard Rustin

As a gay African-American, civil rights activist Bayard Rustin faced discrimination his entire life—sometimes, Walter Naegle reminds us, among his…
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Who was Mahala Ashley Dickerson?

Mahala Ashley Dickerson was a trailblazer for justice who fought for marginalized people her whole life. A childhood classmate of…
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The Influence of Quakers in Mental Healthcare

“We often fail to recognize that Quakers were tremendous innovators in behavioral health,” reflects Joe Pyle, president of the Thomas…
History

The Quaker Handshake as a Sacramental Practice

Before the pandemic, the handshake was such a commonplace gesture that you’ve probably never thought much about where it came…
History

Admiring John Brown as a Pacifist

“John Brown was a deeply religious man who took gospel teachings to heart,” says Michael Levi. “[He] saw unsustainable, unacceptable…
History

How History Informs Continuing Revelation

When we ask ourselves why a Quaker meeting or church might make a good spiritual home, Steve Angell observes, we…
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Why Do Some Quakers Dress Plain?

Most Quakers stopped dressing plainly in the late 1800s, but the practice is still alive for some. Four Friends explain…
History

Are You a Liberal or Orthodox Quaker?

Many seekers have discovered Quakers through online quizzes like Beliefnet, but what do they mean by “Liberal” and “Orthodox” Quakerism?
Click to Watch: “How George Fox Fit 7 Bible References into a Single Sentence” History

How George Fox Fit 7 Bible References into a Single Sentence

Early Quakers like George Fox packed their writing with biblical allusions. The reason why they did it, though, is profound.…
Click to watch: “How Did Quakers Come to North America?” History

How Did Quakers Come to North America?

Why did Quakers come to North America? As Max Carter tells it, it wasn’t to escape religious persecution.
Click to watch: “The History of Quaker War Tax Resistance” History

The History of Quaker War Tax Resistance

Quaker historian Paul Buckley discusses the history of Quaker war tax resistance since the founding of the Religious Society of…
Click to Watch: “Who is John Woolman?” History

Who Is John Woolman?

Quaker icon John Woolman balanced activism with an inward contemplative spirituality. Michael Birkel, Professor of Christian Spirituality at Earlham School…
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Looking at the Legacy of Bayard Rustin
Who was Mahala Ashley Dickerson?
The Influence of Quakers in Mental Healthcare
The Quaker Handshake as a Sacramental Practice