Testimonies

Quakers believe in living life in the spirit of love and truth and peace, reaching for the best in oneself and answering “that of God” in everyone. Quaker testimonies are expressions of the commitment to put those beliefs into practice.

The testimonies bear witness to the truth, as Friends in the community perceive it- truth known through a relationship with God. Each Quaker searches for how the testimonies can best be expressed in his or her own life.

Queries

Quakers use queries for personal reflection, self-examination, or spirited discussions.

Testimony – PEACE

Friends oppose and refuse to engage in war and violence. In pursuit of lasting peace, they seek to eliminate causes of violent conflict, such as poverty, exploitation, and intolerance.

Rather, Quakers seek to embrace the transforming power of nonviolence, working for peace in daily interactions with family, neighbours, fellow community members, and all. Quakers in seeing ‘ that of God in every person, regardless of nationality, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability or social status.

Quakers seek to prevent war by nurturing the capacity of individuals and communities to sustain harmonious relationships based on mutual respect and caring for the welfare of all.

QUERIES

  • How can I nurture the seeds of peace within myself, my community, and the world?
  • How can I increase my understanding of non-violence and use it in all my interactions.?
  • How can I settle disputes within relationships with love, care, and sensitivity for all concerned?

Testimony EQUALITY- seeking social justice.

Quakers hold that all people are equal in the eyes of God and have equal access to the ‘Inner Light’. This leads Quakers to treat each person with respect, looking for ‘that of God’ in everyone.

QUERIES

  • How do I respond to opportunities to establish personal and professional relationships with people whose backgrounds are different from mine?
  • In what ways do I work to change society so that everyone has equal opportunities?

Testimony INTEGRITY  – Consistency in word and deed

For Quakers having integrity means being genuine and having consistency between one’s values and one’s actions. The lack of integrity separates us from the Light within. This means speaking the truth to all, including peoplein positions of power. We reject the idea that there are different standards of truth.

QUERIES

  • How is my work in harmony with the truth as I understand it?
  • In what ways do my interactions with other people reflect my beliefs and values?
  • How can I listen with an open mind to other’s experiences?

Testimony COMMUNITY – Living in Fellowship.

The Quaker community provides a place for individual members to look for wisdom and support. When Quakers gather in silence to worship, we are collectively seeking the will of God, rather than meditating individually. Shared worship signifies unity and trust.

QUERIES

  • How do I help ensure a safe space for diverse voices and opinions in the community where I participate and serve?
  • How can I contribute to Quaker meetings so that the gathering is more constructive and reflective of an inclusive community?

Testimony SIMPLICITY  – Spirit-led restraint.

Quakers try to live lives in which activities and possessions do not get in the way of open communication with others and one’s spirituality. We may speak passionately but we avoid distortion and exaggeration. We are called on to speak plainly and go to the heart of the matter.

In our personal lives, simplicity means limiting our consumerism and resisting over-commitment, so that we have time to care for ourselves and to be present in the moment

QUERIES

  • How might I communicate with more honesty, clarity, and simplicity?
  • How can I be more thoughtful about what I need and what I acquire?
  • Does the way I spend my time make the best possible contribution to my work?

Testimony – STEWARDSHIP – Care for the earth and its inhabitants.

To Quakers, this means taking care of what has been given, not just for ourselves, but for the people around us and for future generations as well.  In our workplaces, we are attentive to conserving energy, recycling and reducing waste. In our personal lives too develop a simple yet adequate lifestyle.

QUERIES

  • How can I be a better steward of our environment in my consuming and recycling behaviours?
  • How do I help others to recognize and use their gifts?