What does it mean to be a Quaker?
The Quaker movement (also known as the "Religious Society of Friends") was started in England in the mid-17th century at a time when many people were interested in radically reshaping religion, politics and society. If you would like to know more about the history of Quakers, please click here.
Quakers believe there is that of God in everyone and see all humans as equal and deserving of equal treatment and respect. This belief is the reason why Quakers don't have a person to lead Worship. They try to live in truth, peace, simplicity and equality, finding God in themselves and those around them. Quakers are rooted in, or have their origins in Christianity but are open to new light from wherever it may come. Some Quakers describe themselves as Christians, others do not.
We try to put our faith into action and have "Testimonies" to peace, truth and integrity, simplicity and sustainability and equality and justice.
Peace
Quakers are perhaps best known for our peace testimony. It comes from our belief that love is at the centre of existence and that all human life is of equal worth. It has led Quakers to refuse military service and work creatively for peace. This has ranged from practical work in areas affected by violent conflict to developing alternatives to violence at all levels. This could be personal or international.
We hope our peace pole and new blue plaque help to demonstrate these values.
Bolton Quakers are involved with Northern Friends Peace Board. Click here for their website.
Truth and integrity
Quakers try to live according to the deepest truth we know, and we connect most deeply to this in the stillness of worship. This means speaking the truth at all times, including to people in positions of power. As we are guided by integrity, so we expect to see it in public life.
Simplicity and sustainability
Quakers are concerned about excess and waste in our society. We want to make sure our use of natural resources is sustainable. Quakers try to live simply and to find space for the things that really matter: the people around us, the natural world, and our experience of stillness.
Bolton Quakers are working towards the "A Rocha Eco Church" award.
We also try to find ways to maintain our Meeting House in a sustainable way, including mending our broken garden benches using recycled plastic slats made from old CD cases.
Equality and justice
Quakers believe everyone is equal. This inspires us to try to change the systems that cause injustice and that stop us being genuine communities. It also means working with people who suffer injustice, such as prisoners of conscience and asylum seekers. Quakers were campaigning for independent juries in the 17th-century, for marriage equality in the 21st, and for a range of things in between.
Bolton Quakers are a Sanctuary Meeting and welcome refugees and asylum seekers as well as other groups seeking sanctuary.
The process of living out our faith is often called Quaker Witness.