Richmond Declaration

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The Richmond Declaration was made by 95 Quakers (representatives of 12 Friends Yearly Meetings) in September 1887, at a conference in Richmond, Indiana. It was a declaration of faith, and although Quakers do not have a dogma or creed, the Richmond Declaration has been used by the Orthodox branch of Quakers ever since.

The declaration stated, among other things, that the holy scriptures (i.e. the Bible) were a greater authority than the inner light; this is something that other branches of Quakerism disagree with and is a defining aspect of the Orthodox branch.

"It has ever been, and still is, the belief of the Society of Friends that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament were given by inspiration of God; that, therefore, there can be no appeal from them to any other authority whatsoever; that they are able to make wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Jesus Christ."

[edit] Criticism

A negative view of the Richmond Declaration is given by Chuck Fager [1]. He argues, among other things, that the Declaration never represented most Friends and that it has prompted an unfortunate division in the Society.