Changes

Quakers are traditionally [[pacifist]]s, the Society of Friends being, along with the [[Mennonites]] and the [[Plymouth Brethren]] one of the historic peace churches.  

Quakers are traditionally [[pacifist]]s, the Society of Friends being, along with the [[Mennonites]] and the [[Plymouth Brethren]] one of the historic peace churches.  

Modern Quakers are not identifiable by dress or speech. Historically, the plain Quaker dress ("Quaker grey") and "plain speech" (particularly the use of "thee" and "thou") were demonstrations of the testimonies of simplicity and equality. Modern Quakers carry on the intent of these practices in such ways as not "dressing up" to attend meeting for worship.  

Historically, Quakers were a [[nonconformist]] body. In the early twentieth century, many Quakers began to drop traditional Quaker folkways such as plain Quaker dress ("Quaker grey") and "plain speech" (particularly the use of "thee" and "thou") and replace them with modern interpretations such as not "dressing up" to attend meeting for worship.

 

A series of divisions has resulted in Quakers being organized into four general bodies. The largest group in the eastern United States, which usually sets forth its ideas as traditional Quakerism, is called the Friends General Conference. This body is theologically liberal and the only Quaker body that is not specifically Christian. A group found mostly in the center of the United States and in Africa is the Friends United Meeting. This body and the Evangelical Friends have pastors and a religious service similar to that of rural Protestants throughout the United States. The smallest of the four Quaker groups is the Conservative Friends. This group, based in Ohio but with meetings throughout North America and in the UK, maintains the traditional waiting worship and many traditional Quaker folkways dropped by other Quaker groups.  

Quakers around the world hold a wide range of theological views, but value what are called Testimonies. These are often taught using the acronym SPICE, standing for Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, and Equality. Some friends also include other testimonies such as Compassion and Stewardship.

Quakers around the world hold a wide range of theological views, but value what are called Testimonies. These are often taught using the acronym SPICE, standing for Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, and Equality. Some friends also include other testimonies such as Compassion and Stewardship.

* The testimony of '''Simplicity''' concerns the adoption of an unostentatious life style and a restraint on conspicuous consumption. Quakers have been traditionally inclined to thrift and temperance, and unlikely to engage in gambling and financial speculation, though there have been very many successful businesses run by Quakers. Recently there has been a renewed emphasis on the dangers of smoking and the misuse of drugs.

* The testimony of '''Simplicity''' concerns the adoption of an unostentatious life style and a restraint on conspicuous consumption. Quakers have been traditionally inclined to thrift and temperance, and unlikely to engage in gambling and financial speculation, though there have been very many successful businesses run by Quakers. Recently there has been a renewed emphasis on the dangers of smoking and the misuse of drugs. Quakers have always been associated with the Prohibition Party in the United States.  

* The '''Peace''' testimony is probably the best known. Friends usually refuse to support war as a means of settling disputes. Most oppose the arms trade, conscription, and the threat of nuclear war as a deterrent. They promote reconciliation, mediation and conflict resolution rather than revenge and retribution or the use of violence to achieve desired objectives.

* The '''Peace''' testimony is probably the best known. Friends usually refuse to support war as a means of settling disputes. Most oppose the arms trade, conscription, and the threat of nuclear war as a deterrent. They promote reconciliation, mediation and conflict resolution rather than revenge and retribution or the use of violence to achieve desired objectives.