Quakers and Unitarians

[crouchingtigeress]

Could anyone explain the main differences and/or similarities?
I know that the Unitarians do not believe in the trinity, is this also the case for the Quakers (I can't see anything about this on their site).

Religions on left might be of use?

this

I have just started going to a unitarian church and I would say that the ideas are similar and that the two groups certainly communicate and co-operate with each other and seem to do joint events. I haven't been to a quaker meeting so I can't say for sure but I think the big difference is in the style of meeting. Quakers spend much of it in silence whereas unitarian services can be very like church services with hymns, readings and a sermon but often with some meditation and discussion.

The unitarians are very open to personal faith so each unitarian is likely to believe something different. I haven't got to the bottom of why they feel so strongly against the trinity that they named themselves on this basis. But I imagine that someone who did believe in the trinity could be a unitarian. The quakers have a closer association with christianity I think

these two web sites are good

quakers

unitarians

Thanks for your comments.

Yes I have also found these two sites before and found them the most accessible. The Beliefnet is good for the discussion groups.

I was raised a Catholic but didn't (get the trinity)like the dogmatic, unquestionable doctrine and practices - I have always respected the other faiths, particularly Islam and Buddhism. Although I have aften felt that belonging to one group diminishes the importance of the others.

Since having ds I have considered going to a local child-friendly church, and went along to the local methodist toddler group to have a sneak pre-view. I then did some library research, and although the founder Wesley was a 'very nice man' I still couldn;t accept the trinity.

So (last week) I looked at the BBC site for a list of faiths, to see if any matched my beliefs - and Unitarianism did EXACTLY - finally. Sorry for the long speel, but I've been so excited. I attended a local service on Sunday, and it was such a relief to find it was not a weird cult, but a normal service (without distracting imagery and statues).

This sunday I will be going a little further afield to Hampstead, as this is a bigger congregation with a children's service.

Nettee which church do you go to?

Crouchingtigeress I did the beliefnet quiz and it scored me 1st new thought (unity) and 2nd quakers. Never had any associations with either religion though.

Have you asked on beliefnet the same question you ask here?

crouchingtigeress - I have heard good things about Hampstead - how was it? I live in the west country and we have a very small congregation and nothing for children unfortunately. It is exciting though to discover Unitarianism - just wish there were more of us....

Hello ladies

Nettee, I also with there were more members or just more awareness. I've been to five bookshops, all looked at me very strangely, the christian shop, had never heard of it.

In away I'm glad that members aren't trying to convert everyone they meet,but on the other hand, there are probably alot of folks out there who are already unitarians but just don;t it - e.g. those who are spiritual, believe in God, but just don't like the rituals of traditional church going.

Papilion, the test says I am first a liberal reform jew and second a Ba'haist (I am sure I spelt that wrong) and unitarian 5th. The site only looks at unitarian universalism, which is a little different to liberal christianity. I think it is more an amalgamation of all faiths - but I am not sure.