For what is often regarded as a small and somewhat quirky organisation on the fringe of the Christian tradition, Quakers – or Religious Society of Friends as they are officially known – have been remarkably influential during the past three hundred and fifty years.  Many of the names of historic – and not so historic – Quakers may be familiar to you.  In addition to looking into the life of the movement’s founder, George Fox, there’s an amazing journey of discovery to be made.
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In the world of business the Quakers’ success was a direct result of their reputation for honesty & integrity at a time when these attributes were not always typical of business dealings. Barclays Bank, Lloyds Bank, Friends Provident, Clarks Shoes, Cadbury, Rowntree and Fry’s chocolate, together with many other household names all owe their early success to their Quaker founders.  Perhaps, most surprising of all though, is that Sony was founded by a Japanese Quaker!
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In the area of social reform and international politics, again ‘Friends’ – as Quakers are often known – have been equally influential.  Did you know that Amnesty International was founded by a Quaker?  The International Voluntary Service, Greenpeace, The Joseph Rowntree Trust, and many of the key players in present day prison reform, peace and the pacifist movements, all have Friends and Quakerism at their heart.
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Historically, we may have heard of the work of the Friends Ambulance Service during the First World War, the work of Elizabeth Fry (prison reform), John Woolman (abolition of slavery), William Penn (founder of Pennsylvania), Joseph Lister (medicine), John Dalton (founder of the atomic theory) and Abraham Darby (industrialist), who were all Quakers.  But did you know that James Dean, Julie Felix and Judi Dench are all Friends too?
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Why not check out some of these well known names on the internet?  Wikipedia is a good place to start, as is the official site of the Religious Society of Friends at www.quaker.org.uk
Good luck… it’s a fascinating and little known part of our nation’s religious and spiritual  heritage.
You might find the following link of interest ;
Alasdair and Ann Galbraith, Skye Local Meeting