Quaker Testimonies

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Introduction

There is a very wide range of theological views held by different Quaker Yearly Meetings around the world. However there are some patterns of belief and behaviour that are common to Quakers worldwide.

These are expressed in what are known as the Quaker 'testimonies', which have been modified over the years as some, such as the paying of tithes, have become redundant. New testimonies are now emerging, such as a concern for the environment and equality between races, sexes and social classes. A description of testimonies which might be acceptable to most Yearly Meetings today is set out below.

Testimonies

Personal Relationships

This area emphasises social equality and the need for us to accept every person individually, never regarding anyone solely as a member of a class or category. This is why Friends refer to John Smith and Mary Jones rather than to Mr Smith and Mrs, Ms or Miss Jones, and why titles are never used, whether they be social, military, medical, ecclesiastical or academic. Friends oppose discrimination or orexploitationexploitation on the grounds of creed, race, sex, sexual orientation, mental or physical ability, age or social status.

Compassion

This includes the traditional Quaker concern for the relief of suffering due to famine, natural disasters and war. More recently concern for situations nearer at home have emerged, especially for homeless, disadvantaged or elderly people and those who are particularly vulnerable, such as political prisoners, those with AIDS and those who are addicted to drugs. Compassion for animals has led to opposition to factory farming and other forms of cruelty.

Life Style

This concerns the adoption of an unostentatious life style and a refusal to consume more goods and services than are strictly necessary. This ties in with traditional ideals of simplicity, thrift and temperance and the refusal to engage in get-rich-quick enterprises such as raffles, lotteries, gambling and betting, and financial speculation. Recently there has been a renewed emphasis on the dangers of smoking and the misuse of drugs.

Truth

This requires strict honesty and truthfulness, mutual trust and fidelity in our relations with other people. Quakers attracted much business in the early days because of their probity and their insistence on quoting fixed prices which they adhered to. Friends used to disown members who became bankrupt, indicating their insistence that Friends should not incur debts they were incapable of meeting. Friends refused to take oaths, partly on scriptural grounds, but also because they wished to demonstrate that they always intended to speak the truth and not only when 'on oath'. Nowadays Friends are greatly concerned about truth and integrity in public affairs.

Peace

Friends are best known for their 'peace testimony' and their refusal to support intemational warfare as a means of settling disputes. This implies an opposition to the arms trade, to conscription, and to the threat of nuclear war as a deterrent. Reconciliation, mediation and conflict resolution are promoted, rather than the seeking of revenge and retribution or the use of violence to achieve desired objectives.

Social Justice

Quakers have for very many years been at the forefront of penal reform and opposition to capital punishment, emphasising the need for rehabilitation rather than retribution. This testimony also seeks a fairer distribution of wealth, and equal opportunities for employment and education, and in housing and health services.

Green Issues

A comparatively new testimony has developed concerning conservation of the environment. Some Friends are beginning to feel that vegetarianism might soon become a testimony. In any case concern for 'the integrity of creation' has become important.

Footnote

In considering a set of testimonies such as these, it is important to remember the footnote to the salutary Letter from the Elders Gathered at Balby, 1656 which includes:

"Dearly beloved Friends, these things we do not lay upon you as a rule or form to walk by, but that all, with the measure of the light which is pure and holy, maybe guided: and so in the light walking and abiding, these may be fulfilled in the Spirit, not from the letter, for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life."

Source: this page is adapted from:

"Quakerism, Universalism and Spirituality" by Ralph Hetherington, Quaker Universalist Group Pamphlet No 24, ISBN 0 948232 16 1, Contact Us for further information.

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