Influence of Quakerism
For those familiar with the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), there will be seen strong influences on our movement, which are intentional. I attended a Quaker meeting in January 2024 and was impressed with their values, except that they didn’t seem to go to their logical conclusions. Who can talk of peace, while torturing and killing others for food? Who can talk about equality, while treating other sentient beings as things to use as desired?
While I believed that all sentient life was sacred and had the divine spark - the “light within”, if you will - it seemed the Quakers as a group didn’t share this value. As George Fox said, “I found no one who could speak to my condition.”
Moving Beyond Beginnings
So, yes, our movement has been influenced by Quakerism. It has also been influenced by Hinduism, Buddhism and a number of other sources. While we acknowledge these influences, we will evolve beyond what was given, to create our own path - as a child learns from parents and then becomes their own person.
Thank you, George Fox et al!
May all beings know peace!
Gerald Tūruapō Jordan, MBA, MEd, MCouns
22 October 2025