Quakers–Silence is Golden; the Collection Plate Isn’t

For some reason I’ve developed a fascination with Quakers. It seems like every time I turn around someone is talking about a Quaker meeting or I’ll read a book and the main character is going to one. I keep stopping to look at the oatmeal in the grocery store. Not sure what was pulling me, I decided to look the religion up on the internet.

 I heard somewhere that these followers don’t have church services in the traditional sense. They gather and sit quietly if no one has anything to say. When someone feels like sharing, they share. Sounds easy and soothing. It also sounds a lot like an AA meeting, except they’re not always so quiet.

It turns out I really like the ideas behind the Quaker fellowship, originally called “Friends Of Truth.” Over time they became called, simply, “Friends.” “Quaker” was a nickname used by those who said the “friends of Jesus” trembled or quaked zealously in reverence. Today the movement is called “Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)”.

From what I’ve read, it all sounds very simple. They concentrate on being good people. How’s that for a novel idea? They aren’t into ceremony, sacrament, throwing themselves on the floor, flailing their arms, judging their fellows, extorting money, manipulation or any of the stuff we’ve come to know, and not necessarily love, about other religions.

They don’t seem to have a head honcho, other than the one they follow–Jesus. Pretty smart if you ask me. I get confused when I have to start bowing down to too many people. They organize themselves peacefully, sans egos, and they pray for God’s will. They believe every human contains a certain element of God’s spirit and divine energy. This belief allows them to look for the good in their fellow man, regardless of race, creed, or even behavior. They don’t discount evil but seem to prefer to focus on Salvation lying in our power to ‘become’ children of God.

They’re of the idea that “acts” of worship are unnecessary because sincere prayer and communion with God combined with good works pretty much cover it, without all the pomp and circumstance found elsewhere. I’m so impressed at the way they simplify and still achieve the same goal. They’re quiet, listening for the word of God and for direction.

By contrast I picture the people where I used to go to church. They’d scurry like ants, vying for the pastor’s attention. The food and the money took priority over the message every single Sunday. There was always drama and it had nothing to do with Jesus, God, Holy Spirit or anyone in the Bible. It had to do with people. The Quakers have steered clear of all of that. They worship Jesus. They just do it without the bells and whistles drowning out any possibility of divine conveyance.

In the text I read it states, “Silence is greatly valued by Friends. In removing pressure and hurry, it helps them to be aware of the inner and deeper meaning of their individual and corporate lives. It enables them to begin to accept themselves as they are and to find some release from fear, anxiety, emotional confusion and selfishness.” 

Couldn’t we all use that these days? The older I get, the more I like plain and simple. The easiest, least brambled route I can take to peace is the one I want. And where I want to be is not in the middle of chaos, confusion and controversy but in the quiet light of God where I can hear whatever He might want to share with me. I think it might be important.

One of these days I’m going to find a Quaker meeting and I’m going to sit and listen to what they share–even if it’s just plain silence.