I saw, also, that there was an ocean of darkness and death; but an infinite ocean of light and love, which flowed over the ocean of darkness. In that also I saw the infinite love of God, and I had great openings.”—Journal of George Fox, Chapter 1, Boyhood–A Seeker, 1624-1648

The Religious Society of Friends of the Truth arose as a radical Christian sect in 17th century Puritan England and evolved to minister to the spiritual needs of the 21st century by holding to these eight basic beliefs (as articulated by Arthur Larrabee on QuakerSpeak):

  1. There is a living, dynamic spiritual presence at work in the world that is both within us and outside of us.
  2. There is that of God in everyone.
  3. Each person is capable of the direct and unmediated experience of God.
  4. Our understanding and experience of God is nurtured and enlarged in community
  5. The Bible is an important spiritual resource and the life and teachings of Jesus are relevant for us today.
  6. The revelation of God’s truth is continuing and ongoing.
  7. Our inward experience of God transforms us and leads us into outward expressions of faithful living, witness, and action.
  8. Modeling God’s presence in our lives is more important than espousing beliefs.