Are Quakers Christian?

Are Quakers Christian? We talked to 11 Quakers from across the United States and asked about their relationship with Christianity.

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Jon Watts

Jon Watts launched and directed the QuakerSpeak project for its first 6 seasons. Keep up to date with Jon’s work at his website.

19 thoughts on “Are Quakers Christian?

  1. In 1963 in Chile as a Peace Corps Volunteer I, a Quaker, was asked by a Catholic friend to be godfather for her daughter. There were Catholics who thought that I should not be godfather because I was not a Catholic. But there were Catholics, including a Jesuit priest, who thought that I could be the godfather as long as I was a Christian, But the same priest determined that I was not a Christian because I had not been baptized.

  2. Great video. I really enjoyed it. My question is, are Quakers contemplatives?

    Thank you and I am glad to be on your emailing list. I am more and more intrigued.

  3. They fo not teach Christianity. I think it is an individual decision. I’ve attended a few meetings here and am not satisfied with it as a “religion” for me. For me, I go to church to study the Bible. Quaker meetings are just a get together of people of our community. They do a lot of good here but do not embrace the Bible or Christ. Some are Christian and some are not.

  4. The human understanding of divinity is certainly finite. I believe however, that there is sufficient revelation for the seeking and discerning to meet and indeed live right by God as laid out by Him.

  5. Of course yes. Quakers are Christians who believe and worship God just like many other world denominations. The fact that Quakers advocate for silent worship and being affirmative does not discern them from being Christian.

  6. in my contacts with Quakers in various countries over 50 years of adult life I have observed: 1) more practical christian action among Quakers than more “institutional” denominations and 2) an emphasis on contemplation and discerning the “inner light” that develops and enriches the christian tradition – even when they have the courage to learn from buddhists or others who would not call themselves christian

  7. This video does not speak to my condition as a Christian Friend.   I find that — in comparison to what speaks to me — this video feels like a group of decent people busy feeling awkward about a term.  It has nothing to do with the experience of the Christ — which is what Christianity is supposed to be about.   Contrast this with the writings of Steven Davidson and perhaps in particular this very point made in his Sept 2019 post on Christianity and Quakerism (Through the Flaming Sword blog). 

    Christ is not equal to “what our modern society has done with Christianity”.  Christ is a Whole Other Thing.   Direct experience is advised.  If you’re in the Washington DC area and would like to meet with others who believe in the alternative (which is sometimes akin to Annie Dillard’s quote on needing crash helmets in the pews), feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]

  8. Wonderful commentary and perspectives but lacking the diversity of contemporary Friend’s identities and beliefs, particularly those who are Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, Non-theist, Pagan, Humanist, Universalist.

  9. I am taken by the views shared here and wish this could temper much of the ego driven self seeking contemporary religious settings. In this particular video, the history of the Quakers coming from a Christian background was made clear and addressed in a personal way by each speaker which I found uplifting.

  10. Of course Quakers are Christians. Am a full member of the Quaker faith and practice Christianity to the later. It’s just that I can never swear/oath by carrying or holding the Bible high inthe air because what I say is the truth and my no is no and yes my yes.

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