I am thinking about converting to Quakerism. Any Quakers who could answer a few questions?

[paulaplumpbottom]

I'm wondering if there is a big diffrence between liberal Quakers and Mainstream.

Do most Quakers support people's sexuality?

Do most believe in equality of the sexes?

Quakers are very highly likely to be actively commited to equality of sexes and non-discrimination on the basis of sexuuality. In general Quakerism is only minimally defined in terms of the beliefs of its adherents: it is more about being involved in a shared reflective project. But equality of love and respect is an important shared belief.

Do they use the bible?

No was brought up Southern Baptist. A friend of mine said that I was more Libral Quaker material than Quaker material. I wasn't sure what she meant.

Liberal sorry

I think that individual Quaker groups even just within the UK have very different 'cultures'. Some are more Christianity-centred than others. The Bible is used, and for some is a paramount text. But for others it is just one sacred text among many others. My local group seems to have as vocal a Buddhist presence as a Christian one. 'Advices and Queries', a Quaker book of religious reflection, asks Friends to remember and draw on Christian heritage but be entirely open to all other faith traditions.

I am an atheist, but a welcome attender.

I can't believ that was written in 1656. Its so enlightened. I hadn't read that. Thank you that does answer alot of my questions.

I think that's an updated version - it has been revisited a few times over the years and a few changes made.

Is it like any other church where I could just turn up at a meeting?

Absolutely you can just turn up. That is what I did. I found it a rather terrifying thing to do but the people I met were all so good and welcoming that it makes me tearful to think of it.

I think Advices and Queries evolves over the years and continues to be updated. It is lovely and simple, and I like the fact that it asks questions and urges reflection, rather than stating precepts.

I am not a Quaker and have only been attending for a couple of months, but I admire Quakerism for lots of reasons. The emphasis on responding to 'that of God' in everyone is such a simple requirement from which so much follows. For me it makes an atheist form of religious practice possible, since I don't look for a god that is anything other than 'that of God' in people and in the world. For others it means something different -- but the differences of belief are so unimportant when there is so much scope for a shared reflective practice, and for attempting to live a certain sort of life ('Christianity is not a notion but a way'.)

I have considered Atheism but I feel that there is more. When I came across a Magazine article about Quakerism it all just seem to fit for me.

My DD is 6. How do children fit in? Do they attend a sort of Sunday school?

Children seem to attend the first 10 mins or so and then go out to a room where they can play etc (with supervision) -- the thinking being that an hour of reflective silence is a bit much to ask of them. They read, chat very quietly, etc, during the part of the meeting they attend, and I think that there is an unspoken belief that their presence there is utterly to be treasured.

They have quite a helpful website here.

The Quakers I have met have been peace activists, supporters and campaigners for asylum seekers, or socially active in some similar way. They are very good people to get to know.

Thank you so much for the link, again very helpful

Is there music?

This may sound stupid but what do I wear?

There isn't music, though there is no rejection of music either (I think there once was, in Quaker history). Most meetings I have attended have been silent entirely, or have had one or two brief interjections from people who choose to speak. After the hour, there is a period of reflective talk, and after that there is an exchange of notices etc and then tea and biscuits hoorah.

No one seems to dress with any particular smartness

Do you find it difficult to sit for an hour without your brain going over your to do list and things like that?

It doesn't matter if your brain does go over a to-do list. Though it probably won't - you find the sense of peace is catching.

(I'm not a Quaker but my mother attended for years when I was growing up so used to go to the Children's Meeting, as the Sunday School-type thing was called, and I have been to meetings at various times since. Am thinking of going again except I would need to lug my 3 month old baby along.)

Definitely just go along. By the way, Quakers are just about the least likely people to judge you by your clothes, of any group you will ever meet, so you don't need to worry at all about that.

So is it like group meditation?

It is quite a lot like that. I'm sure that people who meditate could explain something about the differences, but there are certainly similarities.

There are no meditative techniques, and no prescribed subjects of reflection. I think historically it was meant to be passively leaving yourself open to words from god. But of course many (though far from all) Quakers now would not think of an external god 'placing' thoughts within them, so they are striving to arrive at some internal fruit of contemplation or reflection.

Oh I see,

Thank you so much for Answering my questions. I think if the roads are not too bad I'll have a go on Sunday. I'm nervous but looking forward to it.

I think you will like it Paula
Even if it turned out not to be for you in the end it is an experience worth having.

Found a local meeting but can't find time it starts. Is there like a standard start time?