Facts About Friends(Quakers) #12

How can Friends differ so widely in their religious beliefs?

Respect for the individual man, woman, child--as each may respond to the Holy Spirit, to the Light Within--has been the basis for a good measure of tolerance among Friends. But their sense of individual divine guidance has also led to sharp differences and continuing tensions between Quakers of widely divergent views and "leadings." In the 19th century, American Quakerism was split by repeated Separations that divided many Friends meetings and yearly meetings, but 20th century reunions have mended some of these breaches.