jlujan69 said:
I just read a biography of John Bunyan and in it, it's said that he knew a lot of the early Quakers came out of another group known as "ranters". "Ranters" were known to be unbelievers. I forget what Mr. Bunyan's view on George Fox was, though he used to "get into it" with an ardent supporter of Quakerism at the time who lived in his village. Anyway, is it true that many of the early Quakers held very unorthodox views?
having grown up Quaker, I think I can answer that question.
Yes, many early quakers held vary unorthodox views, in fact, many quakers today still do. The Evangelical Friends Congregation is the most mainline, orthodox group of quakers---in fact, they really aren't much at all like the original quakers at all.
Quakers are typically very liberal in their views, both biblically and socially--particularly socially, as they are very big into equal rights and helping the poor etc etc--they were very insturmental in during the civil rights movement--alot of quakers involved in the underground railroad--and also very big into the world wide peace effort--very passive oriented. All true Quakers are conciencious objectors and are against the death penalty.
As far as their biblical views, they vary. I know of many Quaker groups who don't even use the bible as their main source of inspiration and who claim universalism. My brother is a devout Quaker who believes Universalism. (You should hear the arguments when my other brother, also a Quaker, but one who is a literalist, gets together with him!!)
Quakers came about in an attempt to take all rituals and such out of worship and get back to communing directly with God. As a result, they rely heavily on listening to the Holy Spirit and do not practice baptism or communion, and many old-style Quakers do not have a minister or any type of formal church. they just get together, sing some hymns, and sit quietly in communion with God and wait. If someone feels 'led' to talk, they do. As a result of following the Holy Spirit and not backing it up with the bible, I feel that many have been mislead. But I do know of many Quakers who are wonderful christians who read the bible regularly. Just like the "baptists", there are many different types of Quakers.
Yikes, i just realized I am babbling. Sorry!
It's hard to give a simple answer. If you are interested, go here
www.quakerinfo.com/item.shtml
that page has a lot of good quaker books, and also can tell you more about quakers.
Hope that was helpful!
