Chapter 5: Peace Education and The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)

Peace education, including its philosophical principles, values, skills (processes) and a life view turned toward service in the world, has been an integral part of the Religious Society of Friends since the early Quakers, under their fiery young leader, George Fox, who established the movement in the 1600s in England. Soon the faith spread to the American shores. Today there are Quakers around the world. Many Quaker meetings in Western Europe, the United States, Canada, and in other parts of the world worship in silence in what is known as the “unprogrammed” tradition. Members gather in prayer, “waiting upon the Lord” and, if felt called, a participant may rise and give a brief message to the gathered group. There are no ministers with a sermon to give, no prearranged textual readings, nor order of worship, as in most other Christian worship formats. In fact, Quakers are often known for what they lack, those things that often distinguish other faith traditions, including creeds, systematic theological articulation of faith and hierarchical, administrative structure.