Portal:Philadelphia/Selected article/November 2007

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The Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers, was founded in England in the 17th century as a Christian religious denomination by people who were dissatisfied with existing denominations and sects of Christianity. Historians generally credit George Fox as the principal co-founder or most important early leader. The Society of Friends is counted among the historic peace churches. Since its origins in England, Quakerism has spread to other countries, chiefly Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Kenya, Peru, and the United States. The total number of Quakers is relatively few (about 350,000 worldwide), although there are places, such as Pennsylvania (particularly Philadelphia), in which Quaker influence is concentrated. Unlike many other groups that emerged within Christianity, the Religious Society of Friends has eschewed formal creeds, and in modern times has avoided hierarchical structure. The several branches have widely divergent beliefs and practices, but the central concept to many Friends is the "Inner Light". Accordingly, individual Quakers may develop personal religious beliefs arising from their own conscience and revelation coming from "God within"; further, Quakers feel obliged to live by such individual religious beliefs and inner revelations. Although Quakers have largely considered themselves part of a Christian movement, some Friends (principally in some Meetings in the United States and the United Kingdom) now consider themselves universalist, agnostic, atheist, nonrealist, humanist, postchristian, or nontheist, or do not accept any religious label.