"In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity"

We Friends are hesitant about making statements regarding our beliefs. Each member is likely to use different words to express their own particular interpretation.

Belief in God, in Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Spirit is the bedrock on which The Religious Society of Friends is founded. We are a recognised denomination of the Christian church.

Meeting for worship

Some Christians might be uncomfortable with some of our beliefs and practices. We know ours is not the not the only path to God, but believe it is the right one for us.

For example we believe in spiritual baptism, and thus water baptism seems to us to be unnecessary. "John indeed baptised with water, but ye shall be baptised with the Holy Spirit"

We do not have a written creed as we believe the constant seeking for a deeper relationship with God can be limited by an unchanging creedal statement.

We believe that God welcomes all men and women to have direct communion with Him at all times if they wish.

We believe that the will of God is best discerned through corporate worship and corporate decision making. For us His authority comes from His spiritual leadings through our ordinary members, rather than through an individual who is head of the church.

We believe there is "that of God" or "the light of Christ" in every person.

A contemporary Quaker wedding

We believe in simplicity. Our meeting houses are plain and are not consecrated – Christ said "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst".

Like most people we believe in honesty and integrity.

We believe in equality of men and women. We believe in the institution of marriage. In common with many others we are currently giving prayerful consideration as to what our attitude should be to other relationships that are increasingly being accepted by society at large.

We believe that all war is inconsistent with the spirit and teaching of Christ.

For a recent public lecture the Friend who was the speaker took as his title "Quakerism, a lifestyle based on Christian Faith".