Quakers are sometimes mistaken for the Mennonites or Amish, but they have a different historical and faith tradition. Despite their small numbers, the Quakers have been influential reformers in several areas:
Abolition of slavery: In 1758, the Philadelphia Quaker Yearly Meeting made involvement in the slave trade a disciplinary offence. In 1790, two Quaker delegations from New York and Philadelphia presented petitions to the House of Representatives that asked for an immediate end to the international slave trade. The Quakers were very active in the Underground Railroad in this area, including my great uncle Levi Coffin, who had the honorary title of "President of the Underground Railroad."
Prison reform: Quakers were one of the first groups in Victorian England to push for more humane treatment of prisoners. Quakers condemn criminal acts, but believe that offenders should be treated in a way that might strengthen their moral character so they might eventually be useful members of society.
Quakers are also opposed to capital punishment. They see the death penalty as brutalizing and degrading, with no chance for the person to reform. There is also no chance to review the sentence in the event of a miscarriage of justice.
Environmentalism: A key Quaker belief is environmental stewardship. They believe that God calls us to examine our lives and take action to walk more lightly on the Earth, and seek harmony with nature. John Woolman, a Quaker preacher, wrote back in the 1700s, "To say we love God as unseen and at the same time to exercise cruelty toward the least creature moving by his life is a contradiction in itself."
Interfaith dialog: Friends believe in interfaith and intercultural communication. Cooperation with other religious groups promotes mutual understanding and unity, regardless of their beliefs or faith tradition. The showing of respect and understanding for one another's point of view, and finding one's way into the hearts and minds of others prevents wars based on simplistic misunderstandings.
Peace and prosperity: From its earliest days the Religious Society of Friends has held that war is contrary to the spirit, the life and the teachings of Jesus. History provides evidence that armed preparedness is not only futile in preventing war but actually forces nations into it. Quakers are urged to help eliminate poverty and injustice, which often leads to conflict. The profiteering by arms makers, who often supply weapons to both sides of a conflict should also be discouraged.
Volunteerism: Quakers believe that for every willing individual, there is an opportunity to contribute to the community. This could be in the form of volunteer labor or in monetary donations.
Readers may not agree with all of these social and political beliefs, but many will understand that the Quakers were aware of many important issues before the general population had given them much thought.
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