Quakers
Definition
The Quakers, also known as the Religious Society of Friends, are a religious group that emerged in England during the 17th century. They believe in the doctrine of inner light or sense of Christ's direct working in the soul.
Analogy
Think of Quakers like your school's debate team where everyone has an equal say. Just as every member on the team can voice their opinion, Quakers believe that everyone has an inner light and can have a direct relationship with God without needing a mediator like a priest.
Related terms
Puritans: A religious group that wanted to "purify" the Church of England from its Catholic practices, maintaining that the Church of England was not fully reformed and needed to become more Protestant.
Pilgrims: Early European settlers who came to North America seeking religious freedom. They were separatists from the Church of England and established Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts.
Shakers: A Christian sect founded in 18th-century England upon the teachings of Ann Lee which advocates celibacy, communal living, confession of sin, pacifism and equality between sexes.
"Quakers" appears in:
Study guides (3)
Practice Questions (9)
How did religious beliefs differ between Puritans in Massachusetts Bay Colony and Quakers in Pennsylvania during colonial times?
What is a key difference between the Puritans' religious beliefs and those of the Quakers in colonial America?
Which colony was established as a haven for Quakers during period two?
Which of the following best describes a key difference between the Puritans in Massachusetts Bay Colony and the Quakers in Pennsylvania?
What helped minority and religious groups like slaves, women, and Quakers flourish with new reforms?
Who founded the colony of Pennsylvania as a haven for Quakers?
How did religious practices differ between the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay Colony and Quakers of Pennsylvania?
What important difference distinguished the Puritans from the Quakers in colonial America?
Who established Pennsylvania as a haven for Quakers and others seeking religious freedom?
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