Do Quakers regard themselves as Christians, and in what sense?

[meltzerboy]

I know there are different forms of Quakerism. I also read the Society of Friends has no official creed, but they do speak of the Inner Light or Spirit of each individual as well as continuing revelation. In addition, they believe in social and political activism and are pacifists. I would like to know if there are any other universal beliefs that all or most Quakers share and primarily whether most Quakers today consider themselves Christians.

 

[Publisher]

Most Friends DO believe themselves “Christians”…Some Friends see themselves as “primitive Christianity revived”…

Some Friends do not wish to be know as “Christian”…they wish to be known as “Friend” or “Quaker”…those usually are of non-Christian background or of a Christian background they found oppressive and void of any spiritual authority or power. While they find Truth in the Quaker message…but for reasons of their own…they do not wish to be identified as “Christian”. They tend to point out “Christian” is only used three times in scripture and the designation most likely began as an “insult” which those first disciples adopted…much like Friends adopted “Quaker” as a “badge of honor” when it was meant as an insult.

Friends spirituality is centered around the Present Risen Christ in our midst…and is rooted in the message and life of Jesus of Nazareth.

Most Friends embrace the understanding that “He is among His people to teach them Himself.”

 

[manualman]

They tend to point out “Christian” is only used three times in scripture and the designation most likely began as an “insult” which those first disciples adopted…

I hadn’t heard that before, but it’s consistent with human nature.

Policemen often call each other “cops” though the term was originally a derisive meaning “catholic on patrol.” I’ve heard black guys call each other a name that I’d be beaten senseless for if I used… My Polish family knows more Polish jokes than anybody else I’ve come across. Homosexual activists have in many areas adopted the word ‘queer’ as their own.

People just have a weird way of turning insulting names into positive ones.

 

[meltzerboy]

Most Friends DO believe themselves “Christians”…Some Friends see themselves as “primitive Christianity revived”…

Some Friends do not wish to be know as “Christian”…they wish to be known as “Friend” or “Quaker”…those usually are of non-Christian background or of a Christian background they found oppressive and void of any spiritual authority or power. While they find Truth in the Quaker message…but for reasons of their own…they do not wish to be identified as “Christian”. They tend to point out “Christian” is only used three times in scripture and the designation most likely began as an “insult” which those first disciples adopted…much like Friends adopted “Quaker” as a “badge of honor” when it was meant as an insult.

Friends spirituality is centered around the Present Risen Christ in our midst…and is rooted in the message and life of Jesus of Nazareth.

Most Friends embrace the understanding that “He is among His people to teach them Himself.”

Thanks so much, Publisher, for the information. I once worked in a Friends School and found the atmosphere so pleasant and informal–everyone on first-name basis, as you know–including the Meetinghouse worship service, full of peace and inspiration.

 

[meltzerboy]

I hadn’t heard that before, but it’s consistent with human nature.

Policemen often call each other “cops” though the term was originally a derisive meaning “catholic on patrol.” I’ve heard black guys call each other a name that I’d be beaten senseless for if I used… My Polish family knows more Polish jokes than anybody else I’ve come across. Homosexual activists have in many areas adopted the word ‘queer’ as their own.

People just have a weird way of turning insulting names into positive ones.

I agree with you there. BTW, the origin of the word “cop” is dubious. I had never heard “Catholic on Patrol”; I had heard of “Constable on Patrol,” as well as derived from the Latin root “capere,” meaning to catch.