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What Do Quakers Believe?
"So what do you believe?" It's the question Quakers are always asked first and the one they find hardest to answer, because they don't have an official list of beliefs. And Quakerism is a religion of doing, not thinking. They base their lives on equality and truth; they work for peace, justice and reconciliation; they live adventurously. And underpinning their unique way of life is a spiritual practice they have sometimes been wary of talking about. Until now. In What Do Quakers Believe? Geoffrey Durham answers the crucial question clearly, straightforwardly and without jargon. In the process he introduces a unique religious group whose impact and influence in the world is far greater than their numbers suggest. What Do Quakers Believe? is a friendly, direct and accessible toe-in-the-water book for readers who have often wondered who these Quakers are, but have never quite found out.
90 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 29, 2019
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29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 4, 2019
The opinions expressed in this book set forth by the author have greatly changed my perception of Quakerism. As told from a voice of experience, not encumbered by the rules of the church, the Quakers of today live by principle - not doctrine; they follow a spiritual path. That was my first revelation.
Not surprisingly from the aforementioned, it was revealed that there are no specific holy days for Quakers; to them every day is holy. They firmly believe that there is no one religion superior to another. It was interesting to learn that a Quaker meeting is filled with meditative silence. There is no agenda to follow. However, someone initiating a discussion that would benefit the group might take place. Again, anything is allowed. No one is denied.
This well-written narrative turned me around to what quakerism is all about. Its dominant principle brings together a divine order of people who share one primary objective: Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward men - an ideal worth heeding.
I offer my gratitude to NetGalley and John Hunt Publishing Ltd for this digital edition in exchange for an unbiased review.
Not surprisingly from the aforementioned, it was revealed that there are no specific holy days for Quakers; to them every day is holy. They firmly believe that there is no one religion superior to another. It was interesting to learn that a Quaker meeting is filled with meditative silence. There is no agenda to follow. However, someone initiating a discussion that would benefit the group might take place. Again, anything is allowed. No one is denied.
This well-written narrative turned me around to what quakerism is all about. Its dominant principle brings together a divine order of people who share one primary objective: Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward men - an ideal worth heeding.
I offer my gratitude to NetGalley and John Hunt Publishing Ltd for this digital edition in exchange for an unbiased review.
April 8, 2019
If you have ever been curious about Quakers this is the book for you! Written in a clear and easy style, avoiding jargon this is a small but important addition to introductory books about Quakers!
December 21, 2018
This is a fascinating quick guide to a Faith that many people know nothing about, or think they know but actually believe wrongly in false myths about the Quaker community or Quaker beliefs. I was surprised to learn that not only is their no "dogma," also individual Quakers believe as they wish. Quaker experience is just that: personal experience. I applaud the Quaker drive to honesty, clarity, and love. I really applaud their Silence. I believe the world in general could use a whole lot more silence and contemplation.
May 6, 2019
A good overview of what Quakers believe and try to put into practice. This is not the book for someone wanting to gain an understanding of how Quaker came to be or how have they developed over time (Durham himself says his book is aimed at the "casual observer" rather than those wanting to do an academic study of the Quakers), but it's a handy guide for those contemplating Quakerism.
As a practising Quaker, I found it useful. I often feel I am not a very good Quaker - I don't feel a strong connection to the divine at times and I don't work in a particularly Quaker job. However, Durham (and the other Quakers quoted) has reminded me that Quakers come in all shapes and forms and their sense of the divine can differ greatly. What connects them, and this is something I try to adhere to, is the desire live their faith through action. Being a Quaker is not so much about what you believe but how you behave.
As a practising Quaker, I found it useful. I often feel I am not a very good Quaker - I don't feel a strong connection to the divine at times and I don't work in a particularly Quaker job. However, Durham (and the other Quakers quoted) has reminded me that Quakers come in all shapes and forms and their sense of the divine can differ greatly. What connects them, and this is something I try to adhere to, is the desire live their faith through action. Being a Quaker is not so much about what you believe but how you behave.
October 9, 2022
An excellent introduction to the subject. An easy read but one that clearly indicates the depths that may be explored.
The author shows that this is not a book, nor a faith, for the armchair theologian. Quakerism is just as much about doing as it is about silent contemplation.
This is a religion that is just as much for the activist as it is for the thinker. From the examples in this book, it is a mix that they do rather well.
The author shows that this is not a book, nor a faith, for the armchair theologian. Quakerism is just as much about doing as it is about silent contemplation.
This is a religion that is just as much for the activist as it is for the thinker. From the examples in this book, it is a mix that they do rather well.
January 6, 2019
It was a bit confusing at first, but then things got really interesting. This is obviously not enough to understand what Quakerism is about, but it serves as a good introduction for the topic and get a basic knowledge on the topic. The author has a good style, simple and direct, making it easy to enjoy the reading.
March 12, 2025
Quick and easy read. While the author argues that Quakerism can’t be defined, I took away enough characteristics of the faith to form a rough idea.
This book is for the layperson that wants surface information about what Quakers believe and their religious experiences. Those that seek more depth or a historical understanding should look elsewhere.
This book is for the layperson that wants surface information about what Quakers believe and their religious experiences. Those that seek more depth or a historical understanding should look elsewhere.
April 5, 2024
A very quick primer
The author presents a very short and quick overview of Quaker customs, as he points out, Quakers have no set or precise doctrine or creeds. Very basic but worth my time.
The author presents a very short and quick overview of Quaker customs, as he points out, Quakers have no set or precise doctrine or creeds. Very basic but worth my time.
May 8, 2024
great read
A great read.
Quaker thoughts, wisdom, advice and a well-rounded description of Quakers.
There are many thoughts and deep feelings about the meetings…it is difficult to not want to attend one to experience for onesself.
A very informative book.
A great read.
Quaker thoughts, wisdom, advice and a well-rounded description of Quakers.
There are many thoughts and deep feelings about the meetings…it is difficult to not want to attend one to experience for onesself.
A very informative book.
August 31, 2022
I was amazed at how deeply I felt about what Mr. Durham has written here. Thank you for sharing your insights.
February 4, 2023
Succinct. A quality many other books on faith have seldom achieved.
September 30, 2019
Attender, member, newbie, regular ... all can take much away from this book.
April 5, 2019
Geoffrey Durham paints a vague, but appealing picture of the Quaker religion. I did wonder whether he is describing an extremely modern form of Quakerism, however, because I thought that Quakers were Christian and Protestant. According to Durham, you don't have to be a Christian to be a Quaker, although the Bible is very important to Quakers. It is possible to be a Hindu or Buddhist Quaker, apparently.
Durham gets rid of the misconceptions concerning Quakers, for example, that they are exclusive or that they dress in black and don't have any fun. He writes eloquently about Quaker philosophy, their belief in an Inner Light and their approach to life, the importance of meetings and their work for charity and society. Many people will have heard that Quakers are pacifists. Durham explains this. He has Quakers from several different backgrounds describe their experiences at the end of the book.
This is an excellent introduction to Quakerism and I enjoyed reading it.
I received this free ebook from Net Galley in return for an honest review.
Durham gets rid of the misconceptions concerning Quakers, for example, that they are exclusive or that they dress in black and don't have any fun. He writes eloquently about Quaker philosophy, their belief in an Inner Light and their approach to life, the importance of meetings and their work for charity and society. Many people will have heard that Quakers are pacifists. Durham explains this. He has Quakers from several different backgrounds describe their experiences at the end of the book.
This is an excellent introduction to Quakerism and I enjoyed reading it.
I received this free ebook from Net Galley in return for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews