What do Quakers believe?

The Quakers have developed from strong Christian roots. However, personal experience and action have always been more important then dogma. Therefore we do not have a creed, and are open to a wide variety of beliefs.

Some central beliefs hold us together as a religious community:

* The light of God is in everyone.
* Each person can have a direct, personal relationship with God – there is no need for a priest or a minister as a mediator.
* Our relationship with God is nurtured by worship based on silent waiting.
* The nature of God is love.

These beliefs lead us to strive for:

* the equality of all human beings,
* simplicity in our worship and in our way of life,
* peace,
* social justice,
* the right to freedom of conscience,
* a sense of shared responsibility for the life of our communities and the integrity of creation.

We sometimes refer to these as Quaker testimonies.