Quakerism
Friends (Quakers) believe that there is “that of God,” or an “Inner Light” or “Spirit” within every individual. Thus, we believe that every human life is sacred and should be treated with equal respect and dignity, and that all conflicts should be settled in a peaceful manner. Quakers believe that cooperation rather than competition should be the dominant theme in human interactions. We value simplicity because we feel that a cluttered life can distract us from our connection with others and the Spirit or Inner Light. We believe that everyone is capable of a direct and personal relationship with God, and we strive to be open to continuing revelation. We worship in silence in order to be open to this direct divine guidance and a deeper understanding of the world. Quakers often feel led by the Spirit to speak out of the silence during Meeting for Worship. Community members are encouraged to use our silent worship period for contemplation based on their own religious traditions. The spirit of Quakerism has deep respect for the religious traditions of each individual and does not seek to proselytize or convert others. Our philosophy encourages students to respect differences in cultural backgrounds and religious beliefs.