jjares reviewed The Quakers: The History and Legacy of the Religious Society of Friends on + 3270 more book reviews
Because I used to live near Friendswood, TX, a city created by Quakers, I've always been interested in learning more about this sect of Christianity. Actually, there is also a large contingent of Friends in League City, TX (a nearby and larger city). The history offered in this publication talks about George Fox, who was raised a Puritan.
The Puritans never really left the Church of England. They were Separatists in the sense that they wanted to reform the Church of England and get rid of the Catholic Church rituals and statuary. Because they remained within the bounds of the Church of England, they did not have to give up their homes to move (to Holland, as the Pilgrims did) for religious freedom.
This book tells of George Fox's extensive trekking across England, telling his story about his revelations and study of the Bible. An interesting factoid is that the Quakers name comes from Fox's entreaty to his followers to "tremble at the word of the Lord." (location 293 of 873). The Friends believed in
* self-sustenance (providing for themselves, not begging for money),
* living a modest and uncomplicated life,
* wearing plain clothing (today they wear basic and watered-down versions of modern clothing),
* they practice simplicity of speech, using 'thee' and 'thou' instead of 'you',
* they promised never to turn down anyone who asks for their help,
* they did/do not believe in the sacraments,
* Quakers treated women as equals,
* Quakers were abolitionists; they believed in racial equality, working within the Underground Railroad.
* Quakers advocate for world peace,
* Quakers educated males and females equally,
* Quakers espoused religious tolerance in their communities,
* Quakers were some of the first people to tackle mental health issues, building one of the first institutions with doctors trained in the modern science of psychology,
* Quakers created charity foundations and built schools, learning centers, and low-cost housing for poor families.
Until reading this, I was unaware that Susan B. Anthony and Lucretia Mott were Quakers. Because of their many works and accomplishments, I was surprised to hear there are only 210,000 Quakers worldwide.
The Puritans never really left the Church of England. They were Separatists in the sense that they wanted to reform the Church of England and get rid of the Catholic Church rituals and statuary. Because they remained within the bounds of the Church of England, they did not have to give up their homes to move (to Holland, as the Pilgrims did) for religious freedom.
This book tells of George Fox's extensive trekking across England, telling his story about his revelations and study of the Bible. An interesting factoid is that the Quakers name comes from Fox's entreaty to his followers to "tremble at the word of the Lord." (location 293 of 873). The Friends believed in
* self-sustenance (providing for themselves, not begging for money),
* living a modest and uncomplicated life,
* wearing plain clothing (today they wear basic and watered-down versions of modern clothing),
* they practice simplicity of speech, using 'thee' and 'thou' instead of 'you',
* they promised never to turn down anyone who asks for their help,
* they did/do not believe in the sacraments,
* Quakers treated women as equals,
* Quakers were abolitionists; they believed in racial equality, working within the Underground Railroad.
* Quakers advocate for world peace,
* Quakers educated males and females equally,
* Quakers espoused religious tolerance in their communities,
* Quakers were some of the first people to tackle mental health issues, building one of the first institutions with doctors trained in the modern science of psychology,
* Quakers created charity foundations and built schools, learning centers, and low-cost housing for poor families.
Until reading this, I was unaware that Susan B. Anthony and Lucretia Mott were Quakers. Because of their many works and accomplishments, I was surprised to hear there are only 210,000 Quakers worldwide.
