Does anyone know anything about The Quakers?

[Rhubarb]

Just thinking of popping into one of their meetings purely out of interest. They sound fascinating. Does anyone know more about them?

Do they campaign against things they think are wrong?

Not half!

If you're a fan of the replacement of Trident I wouldn't mention it. Quakers are very active in society in general, and often very vocal campaigners.

If you do intend visiting a meeting with children it would be worthwhile phoning beforehand - there are numbers on the website - as then they will make sure there's someone on hand to do a children's session (even if they don't usually have [m]any).

And you could always nip out then with the children 'to get them settled' if you've had enough too after 10 mins!

All sorts of activities - often craft - depends on who is running it. Hey, I've nearly talked myself into going back! Well, maybe when dd2 is just a little older.

I do have the number of someone to contact. I'll see what I can arrange.

Oh yes, following your social conscience and getting involved to make a better society is a theme I well remember. Basically, Quakerism is emphatically not a talking shop...

Is porridge eating compulsory?

And no-one has said if they have a moral code or not.

'Is porridge eating compulsory?'

Apparently not:

'Quakers have a reputation for being rather grey and dour, which is based on Quakerism in the 18th century. One of the Quaker Queries encourages us to "Live adventurously", many Quakers love singing and dancing, we don't wear all black or eat porridge every day. We do take our beliefs seriously, but most Quaker gatherings are full of smiles and laughter' (FAQ from the Friends' website)

Note - you don't have to eat porridge every day. Just a couple of times a week.

As for moral code? If I recall correctly there are guidelines for faith and living, but they are not (unlike say, Catholicism) strict rules but rather goals to be strived for.

Is there a copy of the guidelines anywhere?

And I like black - nowt wrong with that! In fact the Amish appeals to me because the men do look bloody sexy in that get-up! Probably not quite what they are trying to achieve though.

Too ticky - Programmed meetings for as long as there have been Quakers in other parts of the States. Kenya has quite a lot of 'Programmed' Quakers too.....
It seems strange to me, but they just have different traditions...
They are also very 'Christian' in the traditional sense of believing in Jesus Christ as Saviour etc.

Rhubarb - what do you mean by a moral code? We have 'testimonies' - to Peace; Truth and integrity; simplicity; equality and community; The Earth and Environment. 'They are an expression of actions characteristic of Friends'

Donk - as in what do they believe to be right and wrong?

Catholics believe abortion to be wrong and so campaign against it. The Quakers campaign against war, so what else do they believe to be wrong/right?

Quaker Faith and Practice is available on-line here .
It is the set of 'guidelines'
There is a smaller subsection in it called 'Question and Counsel' which is easier reading - questions and advice for everyday living really

Thanking you!

what is right?
Telling the truth and acting with integrity
Working for Peace - within ourselves, and in the wider world
Simplicity - trying to live simply, in material ways and spiritually.
Being responsible in our use of resources - and striving for Justice in sharing resources. In local communities and in the World at large.

Etc
Etc

Here is the link to Advices and Queries (or Question and Counsel depending on which version it is)

Thanks Donk. Off to bed now, will read this tomorrow.

A list of things that individual members of our monthly meeting (sometimes more than one) get up to/have done: NB this is not Exhaustive, just to give you a flavour!

Gone to Faslane to protest about the renewal of Trident.
Help with Asylum seekers - give support.
Teach English to Asylum seekers (as volunteer)
Stand outside Menwith Hill every Tuesday evening protesting.
Run an Arts group.
Share premises with Help the Aged.
Visit sick Friends.
Engage with the Homeless - one Friend produced a photographic exhibition about homelessness with the help of homeless people.
Help run an Adult Education Centre in Leeds
Get inolved with Mental Health Advocacy work.
Write to MP's . Frequently.
Raise funds for Charities, mainly but not exclusively Quaker based.
Help with RDA

I have a friend who is a Quaker. She is barking mad and very funny.
The only time I've been to a meeting was when she got married, and the main thing I remember was different people in the congregation standing up and contributing their opinions - very informally.

Sounds pretty cool!

So what did they give their opinions about Fortyplus? Whether or not they thought the couple were suited then?

Sorry - haven't been on mn for a few days...

Mostly stuff about family life and the hope that they would have children... which was pretty funny as unbeknown to most of them my friend was 4mnths pg! Much stifled sniggering from her friends at the back!