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FRIENDS MEETING
Of San Antonio

Quaker Testimonies

"Silent worship and the spoken word
are both parts of Quaker ministry.
The ministry of silence demands the
faithful activity of every member in
the Meeting. As, together, we enter
the depths of a living silence, the
stillness of God, we find one another
in the 'things that are eternal,' up-
holding and strengthening one another.

from Quaker Faith and Practice,
Religious Society of Friends in
Britain (excerpted from sect.
2.01).

What Do Quakers Believe?

The belief that there is "that of God in everyone" is the fundamental basis of Quakerism which has led to the following tenets and practice of this religion:

the elimination of the need for a "hireling minister" or other intermediary between the individual and God
The opportunity and obligation for each to seek God's leading, both individually and corporately in worship
as the writers of the Bible were inspired, the manifestation of the Inner Light also allows us to experience the continuing revelation of God
the accordance of equality and respect to all
the leading to respond to the needs of all peoples
the refusal to take oaths, for there is but a single standard of truth
the commitment to live simply so that others can simply live
the "living" of the sacraments rather than the observation of them outwardly
the conviction that peace can best be obtained by striving to trust love rather than reacting to fear.

(excerpted from "QUAKERISM - a religion meaningful for today's world," Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 1994).

TESTIMONIES

A concern held by Friends is that one's outward life needs to bear witness to the truth discerned inwardly. Four main inter-connected testimonies are:

Equality
Integrity (Truth)
Peace
Simplicity

EQUALITY. There is that of God in each person and each has opportunities to express that divinity.

INTEGRITY (TRUTH). A person needs to be truly in harmony with oneself and to be whole spiritually one needs to live one's beliefs.

PEACE. The basic testimony shows both a positive concern towards taking away the occasion of all wars and the commitment to non-violence in resolving all matters of conflict.

SIMPLICITY. Simplicity is a commitment to living simply so that others may simply live; avoiding all excess; living intentionally and with restraint; and, living a life true to one's beliefs.

(adapted from "QUAKERISM - a religion meaningful for today's world," Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 1994).

Last updated 9/29/04 by Colby Glass

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FRIENDS MEETINGOf San Antonio

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TESTIMONIES

FRIENDS MEETING
Of San Antonio