The Liberal Quakers

There are roughly four thousand two hundred religions in the world. These include Universalizing Religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism, along with Ethnic Religions such as Hinduism and Chinese Religions. Universalizing Religions tend to have large followings. In fact, Christianity has 2.2 billion adherents, making it the largest religion in the world. However, not all Christians believe the same thing. This is apparent in the different branches, Roman Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and Protestantism. Protestantism is the religions that rebelled against the Roman Catholic Church in the 1700s. Protestant denominations include Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal, and Quakers. One form of the Quaker denomination is the Liberal Quakers. Liberal Quakers believe in unprogrammed worship, their inward light, and often emphasize the social aspects of the gospel.
Unprogrammed worship is a major part of the Quaker denominations. Unlike programmed worship, unprogrammed worship is not directed by a pastor or minister. Instead, it follows a tradition of meeting in silence so that you may connect with God. Although the service is conducted in silence, vocal ministry or the sharing of ideas tend to develop (Steere). Many churches lack the sensitivity that comes with silent worship, but while unprogrammed …show more content…
Inward light can be described as an awareness of God and his will. The light represents not only salvation but good and evil, truth and falsehood. Along with that, it represents their belief that God is in every man (Benson). Light is also symbolic in the bible and in Quaker writings. In fact, Jesus is referenced to many times as the light. In the book of John Jesus states, “I am the light of the world he who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John the Baptist also references to Jesus as being the light in John