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Archiver > QUAKER-ROOTS > 1998-10 > 0907382185


From: <>
Subject: Re: Quaker
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 22:36:25 EDT


In a message dated 98-10-02 22:19:46 EDT, you write:

<< Could you tell me what exactly it means to be a Quaker

The textbook answer is that Quakers are Christians which is, literally, to be
a follower of Christ. From there, things get really confused because, of
course, not everyone agrees on what Christ would want. Especially Quakers.

I can go into greater depth if you let me know if your answer is primarily
historical, or whether you want to know about Quakers now. Like other
denominations, Quakers have evolved over time.

and in what way a Quaker school would differ from a mainstream school? >>

Um, well, they're obscenely expensive. If, by mainstream school, you mean
public schools, the administrators of Quaker schools go to great lengths to
avoid and break down cliques and biases among students. Some thing they go
too far, venturing into political correctness. Quaker high schools emphasize
preparation for college and, at least in the Philadelphia area (where I live),
sent 95+ percent of their graduates to college.

Other characteristics: small class sizes, lots of individual attention and
you'll never meet a military recruiter. I don't think they even say the
pledge of allegiance. Some of the larger Quaker schools have websites. You
might do a Yahoo search for Westtown School, George School or Friends Select.
In Washington, D.C., Sidwell Friends is where Chelsea Clinton went.

Hope this helps.

Mark E. Dixon
Wayne, PA
(Willistown MM)

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