Lesson video

Hi, I'm Miss Minton, and welcome to this lesson on Divergent Practises of the Quakers.

By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to describe Quaker values and practises and identify how they are different from other Christian denominations.

Now, lots of this learning today might be new to you, but please don't worry because I'll be helping you through each step of the way.

So let's make a start by looking at the key words for this lesson.

We have Quaker, Quaker movement, values and worship.

Now, a Quaker is a person who belongs to the Religious Society of Friends, also known as the Quakers.

The Quaker movement refers to the emergence of the Quakers as a Christian denomination, which was initiated by George Fox in the 1600s.

Values are core beliefs that guide how a person behaves and how they make decisions.

And worship means to show respect or adoration for a deity, so to show respect or adoration for a God or goddess.

Now our lesson today will have three parts.

We'll start by looking at George Fox and the Quaker Movement.

We'll then move on to look at Quaker values.

And finally we'll look at the features of Quaker worship.

So let's get started and take a look at George Fox and the Quaker movement.

Now here we've got two pictures, one of a Cadbury's Dairy Milk chocolate bar, and the other of a pot of Quaker Oats.

Now I'd like you to pause the video and either talk to a partner, talk to me, or have a think to yourself about what these two products have in common and why they might be relevant to today's learning.

Off you go.

So both of these products have linked to the Quaker denomination, which is the denomination that we'll be looking at in this lesson today.

The founder of Cadbury, John Cadbury, was a Quaker himself, and the Quaker Oats name and logo is based on the Quaker values.

And this is because the owners of Quaker Oats wanted to associate the Quaker values with their product.

So let's start taking a look at the Quaker movement and how this began.

Now, at the time, George Fox lived, England had officially separated from the Catholic church and become a Protestant country.

And the official church was the Church of England.

Fox was born in Leicestershire, and although England was a Protestant country, many people in the area that Fox was born were Puritans, and they actually wanted to reform the Church of England even further and abolish what they felt were Catholic practises.

Now, as Fox grew up, he began to question aspects of the Church of England, and he was unsatisfied with the Church of England in a number of areas, and he felt that the figures of authority within the Church of England lacked integrity and consistency, and he particularly disapproved of their consumption of alcohol.

So let's check your understanding.

Who initiated the Quaker movement in England? Was it A: Martin Luther, B, George Fox, C, John Calvin, or D, John Cadbury? Fantastic.

The answer is B.

It was George Fox who initiated the Quaker movement in England.

Well done.

Now, during the 1640s, Fox travelled around England on a spiritual journey, and during his journey, he came to the realisation that the presence of God is found within people not inside churches.

And he realised that this meant that priests and other religious leaders, weren't actually necessary in order for people to encounter God.

And this was actually really controversial because the organisation of the Church of England involved priests and bishops and fox was essentially saying that these people weren't needed.

Now, following his realisation, Fox began to preach what he knew to other people, and this wasn't really very well received by the authorities, and it actually resulted in Fox facing imprisonment and persecution for sharing his beliefs.

Now, the name Quaker is actually believed to have come from a comment made during one of Fox's trials, where apparently he told the magistrates to, "Quake in the name of God." So we've just heard that Fox told the magistrates to, "Quake in the name of God." but what exactly does this mean? So I'd like you to pause the video and either talk to a partner, talk to me or think to yourself, what does it mean to quake? Off you go.

So to quake means to shake or tremble.

So Fox was telling the magistrates to shake or tremble in the name of God.

So let's check your understanding.

True or false? George Fox realised that religious leaders were essential for individuals to experience God.

Fantastic, that statement is false, but why is this statement false? Well, it's because Fox actually realised that religious leaders were not necessary for people to experience God.

And this is because God can be found within people and not churches according to George Fox.

So while done for identifying that that statement is false and for identifying the reason why.

Now, despite persecution, Fox continued to preach and follow his beliefs.

And in 1652, Fox had a vision on Pendle Hill in Lancashire.

And this moment is considered to be the official beginning of the Quakers.

Fox felt that he was led up Pendle Hill by God, and when he arrived at the top, he had a vision of great people to be gathered.

Now, this vision led fox to continue travelling and continue preaching with the hope of gathering people, just like he'd seen in his vision.

Now, although Fox's beliefs were controversial to the Church of England, he was actually successful in gathering people who held similar beliefs to his own.

And Fox was joined by a group of people known as the Valiant 60, and these people form the earliest group of Quakers.

The group included Margaret Fell, who offered her home Swarthmoor Hall as a meeting place for the group.

And today Margaret Fell is actually popularly known as "The Mother of Quakerism".

So let's check your understanding.

What event is often said to be the official beginning of the Quakers? Is it A, the vision at Pendle Hill.

B, the birth of George Fox or C, George Fox's imprisonment? Fantastic, it was George Fox's vision at Pendle Hill that's considered to be the official beginning of the Quakers.

Now, although we often refer to this denomination as the Quakers, the official name of the Quakers is actually the Religious Society of Friends.

Now, this name comes from the use of the word "friends" that's seen in the Bible.

So if we look at this passage from John 15, it says, "You are my friends, if you do what I command." Now, what I would like you to do is pause the video and either talk to a partner, talk to me, or have a think to yourself, about how this passage might be interpreted, particularly focusing on the use of the word "friends".

Off you go.

So the word "friends" in this passage can be interpreted to describe people who have a faith in God and follow his command.

Now, I'd like you to again pause the video and either talk to a partner, talk to me or think to yourself, why the Quakers might refer to themselves as the Religious Society of Friends.

Off you go.

So the Quakers refer to themselves as the Religious Society of Friends to highlight that everyone is equal and there is a mutual relationship between all people.

They also refer to themselves as the Religious Society of Friends to emphasise the personal relationship with God.

And if we think back to the passage from John, where "friends" is used to refer to people who follow God's command, that can give us some insight into the relationship that many Quakers may have with God.

And finally, this name might be used to show that God is within everyone and that all people can be a friend of God.

So let's check your understanding.

True or false? The official name for the Quakers is The Religious Society of Friends.

Fantastic.

That statement is true.

Well done.

It's now time for you to have a go at a task.

I would like you to answer the following questions about this image.

Number one, who is this? Number two, what movement did this person initiate? Number three, where and when did this person have a vision? Number four, why is this vision important? And number five, how did this person fulfil the vision? So pause the video and have a go.

Well done for your work during that task.

So you are asked to answer some questions about this image and your responses should look something like this.

Number one, this is George Fox.

Number two, George Fox initiated the Quaker movement.

Number three, Fox's vision happened at Pendle Hill Lancashire in 1652.

Number four, Fox's vision is important because it's considered to be the official beginning of the Quakers.

And number five, Fox fulfilled the vision by preaching and gathering people to share his belief.

So well done for your work answering those questions based on the image.

We're now moving on to the second part of our lesson, which is to look at the Quaker values.

Now, within the Quaker denomination, there are no fixed creeds like there might be for other Christian denominations.

And this is because many Quakers believe in a personal relationship with God that continues to develop over time.

So having a fixed creed is not really suitable, because belief and faith is something that will develop and change as time goes on.

Many Quakers also believe that each person has an inner light that's part of God's spirit.

And this links back to George Fox and his belief that each person can have a personal encounter with God without the need for churches.

And finally, within the Quaker denomination, the Bible is not seen as the only source of authority.

And for many Quakers, there are other sources of authority that accompany the Bible.

So let's check your understanding.

Which statement best describes Quaker beliefs? Is it A, Quakers do not have a fixed creed and they do not see the Bible as the only source of authority, B, Quakers use the ene creed, but do not use the Bible as the only source of authority.

Or C, Quakers have created their own creed and they use the Bible as their only source of authority? Fantastic.

The correct answer is A, Quakers do not have a fixed creed, and they also do not see the Bible as the only source of authority, well done.

Now, many Quakers focus on values and expressing these values through their personal relationship with God.

The Quaker values today are simplicity, truth, equality, and peace.

Now the value of simplicity refers to avoiding excess and complexity.

Now, I'd like you to pause the video and either talk to a partner or have a think to yourself, about how Quakers might try to live in a simple way.

Off you go.

So, many Quakers may try to live in a simple way by avoiding buying unnecessary material possessions or by trying to live sustainably where possible, or maybe by not being concerned with wealth and maybe focusing on other things that are more important than wealth, like family and friends, or maybe by supporting environmental causes.

So for example, supporting campaigns against climate change.

So let's check your understanding.

True or false? Many Quakers try to live complex lives, for example, they live sustainably where possible.

Fantastic.

That statement is false.

And this statement is false because, whilst it is true that Quakers do try to live sustainably, that's an example of how they might try to live a simple life, not how they might try to live a complex life.

So well done for identifying that the statement is false and for identifying the reason why.

Now, the Quaker value of truth is about being truthful in words, actions, and being truthful to religious beliefs.

Now, we have already mentioned that many Quakers use other sources of authority alongside the Bible.

And an example of one of those sources of authority is a book called Advices and Queries.

Now advices and queries says that, "Quakers should pay attention when they are prompted to truth and love", and it refers to these prompts as being from God.

So in other words, when someone feels compelled to act in a truthful way and act with love, these are signs from God.

Now because of this value of truth, many Quakers aim to live their life in a truthful way.

And this might actually involve refusing to swear oaths.

Now, I'd like you to pause the video and either talk to a partner or have a think to yourself, what is swearing an oath? And when might this happen? Off you go.

Okay, so to swear an oath means to make a very serious and binding promise.

And an example of when somebody might need to swear an oath is if they're giving a witness statement in court.

And this is to show that everything they say will be completely truthful.

I'd like you to pause the video again and either talk to a partner or have a think to yourself, about why many Quakers would refuse to swear oaths, if they value truth.

Off you go.

So many Quakers refuse to swear oaths, because they are being truthful at all times.

And swearing in oath might imply that a person is more likely to be truthful when they're under oath compared to when they're not.

And for many Quakers, they should be truthful all the time.

So let's check your understanding.

Fill in the blanks.

Many Quakers do not swear blank, because they believe in being blank all of the time.

Fantastic.

The missing words are oaths and truthful.

So, many Quakers do not swear oaths, because they believe in being truthful all of the time.

Now, another Quaker value is equality.

And equality is the belief that all people are equal and they should be treated this way.

Now, I would like you to pause the video and either talk to a partner or have a think to yourself, about whether you know any laws or acts that Quakers might support based on the belief in equality.

Off you go.

So some examples of laws or acts that many Quakers might support include the spiritual authority of women.

So women having leading roles in worship alongside men, same sex marriage, fair trade, and human rights.

And this is because all of these acts or laws reflect all people being equal.

The final Quaker value is peace.

And this is the aim to live in harmony with other people, because all life is precious and all life deserves to exist in harmony.

Now I'd like you to pause the video and either talk to a partner or have a think to yourself about any examples of how Quakers might work for peace.

Off you go.

So some examples of how Quakers might work for peace include showing forgiveness.

So trying to build a relationship that's been broken because of a wrongdoing, or maybe refusing to take part in wars, or encouraging nonviolent approaches to solving conflict.

So, maybe encouraging people to talk through their differences, rather than using violence as a solution.

Or rejecting the glorification of war.

So for example, video games and films that make war look glamorous and glorify war.

So let's check your understanding.

Which of the following are Quaker values? You can select two answers, A, ownership, B, wealth, C, peace, or D, equality.

Fantastic.

The correct answers are C, peace and D, equality.

Well done.

It's now time for you to have a go at a task.

Now, I would like you to complete this table by describing and giving an example of each Quaker value.

So as a reminder, the Quaker values are simplicity, truth, equality, and peace.

So I'd like you to give a description of each one and an example of how a Quaker might live by this value.

So pause the video and have a go.

Well done for your hard work during that task.

So you were asked to complete the table by describing and giving an example of each quake of value.

So let's take a look at what your answers might look like.

Simplicity is avoiding excess and complexity.

For example, living sustainably.

Truth is about being truthful in words, actions, and truthful to religious beliefs.

For example, by not swearing oaths.

Equality is the belief that all people are equal and should be treated as such.

For example, supporting human rights movements.

And finally, peace is the aim to live in harmony with others because all life is precious.

For example, encouraging non-violent ways of resolving conflict.

So well done for your work during that task.

We're now moving on to the final part of our lesson, which is to look at the features of Quaker worship.

Now, Quaker worship is actually referred to as a meeting.

And in Britain there are over 500 Quaker meeting groups.

Anyone is welcome to join these Quaker meetings, even if you are not a Quaker.

Now, Quaker worship has some very distinct features.

Meetings begin with silence and stillness.

During this time, Quakers look for a sense of connection, either within themselves, the people around them, or with God.

During the meetings, seats are arranged in a circle or a square rather than rows.

And the arrangement of seats is to help people connect with each other.

And it also shows that there's not one person who's more important than anyone else, because everyone is sat together as a community.

Throughout a Quaker worship meeting, anyone can contribute.

There's no paid religious leader who's considered to have the most authority.

However, there are people known as elders, and these people encourage others in their faith.

During worship, Quakers use the Bible and other sources of authority.

And Quakers may refer to writings that have been compiled throughout their history.

These include the Quaker Faith and practise writings and a booklet called "Advices and Queries".

These might be read privately or they may be read aloud.

Quaker meetings end with two people who are usually elders, shaking hands, and this signifies that the meeting has come to an end.

Once this happens, others will also shake hands with people around them.

And shaking hands is used as a symbol of friendship.

And this links back to the official name of the Quaker denomination, which is the Religious Society of Friends.

So let's check your understanding.

Fill in the blanks.

Quaker worship begins with blank and ends with blank hands.

Fantastic.

The missing words are stillness and shaking.

So, Quaker worship begins with silence and stillness and ends with shaking hands.

Quaker worship does not involve the celebration of the Eucharist, which is a central part of worship for many other Christian denominations.

Tamara is a Quaker, and she's explaining why she doesn't celebrate the Eucharist.

Tamara says, "As a Quaker, I do not celebrate the Eucharist, because I do not think that special rituals are needed to communicate with God." Now, Tamara's beliefs are linked with the belief that God is omnipresent, which means that God is present in all places and at all times.

Because many Quakers believe in the omnipresence of God, this means that God can be experienced anywhere at any time.

John is also a Quaker, and John explains his beliefs about God.

He says, "I believe that God is a feeling, which means I can experience God anywhere." John's beliefs are a reflection of the belief that God is omnipresent.

Let's check your understanding.

True or false? A key feature of Quaker worship is the Eucharist.

Fantastic, that statement is false, but why is that statement false? Well, it's because Quaker worship does not include the celebration of the Eucharist.

Many Quakers believe that because God is present everywhere, they don't need to consume bread and wine in order to feel God's presence.

So while done, for identifying that that statement is false, and for identifying the reason why.

It's now time for you to have a go at the task, I would like you to write five sentences about Quaker worship.

But I've got some words that I would like you to include in your sentences.

Sentence one must include the word silence.

Sentence two must include the word leader.

Sentence three must include the word handshake.

Sentence four must include the word Eucharist.

And sentence five must include the word omnipresent.

So pause the video and have a go.

Welcome for your hard work during that task.

So you were asked to write five sentences about Quaker worship and I gave you some specific words to include in each sentence.

Now your response may look something like this.

Number one, "Quaker worship begins with stillness and silence." Number two, "Quaker worship does not have just one leader.

Instead, everyone is welcome to contribute." Sentence three, "The sign that Quaker worship has ended is a handshake between two elders." Sentence four, "Quaker worship does not involve celebrating the Eucharist." And sentence five, "Many Quakers believe that God is omnipresent." So there is no need for special services because God is felt everywhere.

So, well done for your work during that task, particularly, for including the words that you were asked to include.

We've now reached the end of our lesson on divergent practises of the Quakers.

So let's summarise our learning from this lesson.

We learned that the Quaker movement was initiated by George Fox, and that the official name of the Quakers is the Religious Society of Friends, and that many Quakers focus on a personal relationship with God rather than following a set of beliefs.

We also learned how many Quakers try to live their lives through the values of simplicity, truth, equality, and peace.

And how Quaker worship is unique, because it's a meeting where everyone is welcome to contribute, rather than a service led by one religious leader.

And finally, we looked at how Quaker worship does not include the celebration of the Eucharist.

So again, a big well done for all of your work during this lesson.

It's been a pleasure learning with you today.