"Quaker" is a term that most of us have heard ever since we were in middle school history classes, though many of us still aren't so sure what it actually means.
The most well-known thing about Quakers probably involves their very simple sense of style. For example, there's nothing frilly about Quaker furniture, with its straight lines and pure functional quality. That style is pretty indicative of their lifestyle, though, as a jumping-off point for understanding more about them!
A lot of people still ask these questions: is it a way of living? Is it a religion? Are there still Quakers today?
Quakerism is a religion that is still alive and well today, but we don't hear too much about it because the folks that practice it aren't loud about it. Quakers are a religious group who focus on simplicity and respect in all facets of life. There are still tons of Quakers today, with some of them dressing in "simple" clothing, while others have adapted more to modern trends and styles.
What else is there to know about this quiet group of people? Read below to get 10 Quaker facts to help you better understand who they are!
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Thumbnail Source: Wikimedia Commons / Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru / The National Library of Wales
1. There Is No Clergy
There are no priests or ministers in the Quaker faith. Rather, everyone has the same connection with God. They rely on the "Christ within," the idea that God can be found in everyone.
2. William Penn Was A Quaker
William, the founder of Pennsylvania, was a Quaker. He wished to live in harmony with everyone in his state, and hoped that everyone would cooperate with each other and remain equal to each other. This included the many Native Americans who inhabited the area.
3. Women Play A Powerful Role
Early on in the formation of the religion, Margaret Fell pioneered a strong role for women as important figures in the family and community. Women's meetings were held in addition to wider meetings, and women in the Quaker community are still very much respected.
4. They Have Always Been Interested In Science
One of the reasons that the Puritans often accused Quakers of witchcraft was because of their closeness with nature and desire to understand the science behind why things worked the way they did.
5. Things Began In England With George Fox
I don't know about you, but when I think of Quakers, I think of rural America. However, Quakerism began in the 1650s when a young man named George Fox was unhappy with the teachings of the Church of England.
6. They Are Also Known As "Friends"
Quakers are a subset of the wider group called Religious Society of Friends. There are denominations of all sorts underneath this broader term, but all are historically Christian.
7. We Have Them To Thank For Root Beer
Charles Elmer Hires, a Quaker pharmacist, brought his invention to the 1876 U.S. Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. He called it "the temperance drink," and "the greatest health-giving beverage in the world." Health properties aside, the drink sure is tasty!
8. Richard Nixon's Family Was Quaker
The 37th President of the United States grew up in an evangelical Quaker household abstaining from alcohol, swearing, and dancing.
9. They Are Still All Over The World
Quakers don't just exist in Pennsylvania today: they can be found all over the world! As of 2012, there were 146,300 Quakers in Kenya, 4,300 in India, 1,600 in Ireland, and thousands more all across the globe.
10. A Quaker Invented The Candy Bar
Joseph Fry, a Quaker from Bristol, England, made the very first recorded candy bar in history in 1847. Without that first invention, who knows what sweet treats we'd be seeking at the drugstore counter instead of all those delicious candy bars that line the shelves?
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