Also: Can atheists or agnostics be Friends?
The thing about the lack of religious dogma among Quakers is that what may seem like a simple “yes/no” question often has a more ambiguous answer, like “maybe” or “sometimes” or “it depends.” Do Quakers believe in God? is definitely one of those questions.
Most Quakers believe in… something. It’s when you ask if that something is “God” that the answer becomes more complicated.
Do you mean the God of the Abrahamic tradition, worshipped by Jews and then Christians and then Muslims over several millennia? Many Quakers do understand divinity through that framework, but some feel that it does not offer a complete understanding. So you’ll often hear Quakers talk about “Spirit,” for example. One Friend’s understanding of Spirit might be very similar to an Abrahamic understanding of God; another Friend might understand Spirit in a very different way. Generally speaking, though, Quakers do believe in something very much like what participants in Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs would recognize as “a power greater than ourselves” in the universe.
Can an atheist be a Quaker? Of course! Especially if you’re the kind of atheist who doesn’t believe in a personal God, like the one in the Abrahamic traditions, or in any form of transcendent divinity. Some atheists find meaning in Quakerism not because of supernatural beliefs, but because of its commitment to deep ethical values, the search for truth, and community practice. Even if you hold a materialist view of reality, you can share Quaker testimonies, such as peace, integrity, equality, and simplicity, not because they come from a divine source, but because you consider them fundamental principles for a meaningful life. After all, in different branches of contemporary Quakerism, the focus isn’t on adhering to a specific doctrine, but on living with openness, honesty, and ethical commitment. And that also includes those who define themselves as atheists.
For those who identify as agnostics, the path may seem even more natural. If, rather than completely rejecting the possibility of the divine, you have doubts or are simply unsure, you’re in good company. The Religious Society of Friends recognizes that uncertainty; believing that each person can experience the divine also involves accepting that this path is unique to each person and takes its own pace. Rather than trying to convince you that “God is real,”many Quaker meetings offer a space where you might, at some point, experience ongoing revelation for yourself. (And if it doesn’t happen right away, don’t be discouraged! Some Friends go years, or even decades, without receiving a direct message from the Spirit, but they remain open to the possibility that it may one day occur.)
Next Question: Are Quakers Christian?
Learn more at Friends Journal
“Confessions of a Nontheistic Friend,”
David E. Drake
“Quaking with Confidence,”
Ben Pink Dandelion
“Finding Dropt Letters,” Paul Hamell
“No Religion. Always Practicing Quakerism.,” Julia Wise