From Discipline, Iowa Yearly Meeting of Friends (Conservative), 1974, excerpts supporting

inclusion of a variety of religious belief and experience: (citations are page number followed by
paragraph number)

The first words in the Discipline are these:

“Dearly Beloved Friends, these things we do not lay upon you as a rule or from to walk
by, but that all, with the measure of light which is pure and holy, may be guided and so in
the light walking and abiding, these may be fulfilled in the spirit, not the letter, for the
letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” (Letter from the meeting of Elders at Balby, 1656)
(i.1)

The first paragraph on the first page of text (other than quotations) ends with these lines:
The Discipline suggests rather than commands, and raises questions or queries rather than
giving specific answers. It places upon the individual conscience, rather than upon
external authority, the responsibility for the discipline of the spirit. (iii.1)

Members who do not agree with the Discipline have the option of joining in the unity anyway
even as they disagree:
The individual member who does not approve of a particular resolution to a concern with
which the rest of the members are in harmony should be willing to let the Meeting
assume the burden of the decision. (iii.2)

In the Discipline approved by the YM in 1951, the first section after the “Introduction” was a
“Declaration of Faith.” In 1974 this declaration was replaced by a section of Advices and
Queries.
It is hoped that the Advices and Queries will serve as the central guide for our testimonies
and beliefs. George Fox wrote: “I saw into that which was without end, things uttered,
and of greatness and infinitude of the love of God, which cannot be expressed by words.”
In this spirit early Friends never accepted any theological dogma as a test for approval of
each other or of others. (iii.4)

In the introduction to the Advices and Queries, the following lines follow a short statement of
Christian faith (see other collection of excerpts):
With the reality of this experience to guide both our individual lives and the corporate life
of the Meeting, the Quaker faith is not to be written as a creed that must be accepted by
the faithful, but as a vibrant living truth to be experienced. (45.2)

The queries are a historic means of engaging our minds, hearts and spirits in a search for
truth. The advices suggest the gathered wisdom of the corporate group, those realities
experienced in our lives and in the lives of others. They do not preclude the possibility of
new direction and the emergence of new insights, but are offered as aids in both
individual and corporate search for spiritual fulfillment – a partial guide for our spiritual
journey. (45.4)
The membership section has been revised compared to the version before 1974. Here are the first
words of each:
We consider membership in the Society of Friends a privilege which entails
responsibilities. Ideally it is the outward sign of an inner union with Christ the living head
and with other members of a concerned group. (1951, 43.1)

Membership in the Society of Friends should be an outward sign of an inward

commitment to the Gospel of Love and of a fundamental unity with the aspirations of the
Society. It carries with it both privileges and responsibilities. A member is called to be
faithful to the Light which he/she receives, to attend Meetings for Worship and Business,
and to reflect the life of the Spirit in his/her daily living. (1974, 33.1)

The membership section also contains these lines;

Friends are aware that religious truth comes to different persons in somewhat different
ways, and that seekers find themselves in various stages of growth in religious
experience. An open mind and heart and an earnest desire for ever-increasing Light are
matters of deep concern. (33.2)

The committee should seek assurance that the applicant is sincere and has an
understanding of and readiness to try to live by, the principles of Friends. The applicant
should be made awareness of the importance to the life of the Meeting of the Quaker
method of searching together for unity. (34.1)

There is a section titled “Pertinent Topics to Discuss With Prospective Members” with these
lines:
The topics below…are not meant as an examination, nor are there “right” and “wrong”
answers. Rather their value lies in what they may reveal of the experience of both the
counseling Friends and the applicant in seeking and discovering those truths upon which
a personal, family, and group life can be built. (39.1)

Does he/she realize that Friends hold various opinions on theological matters? What has
the applicant’s experience revealed so far concerning God? the Inward Light? Jesus? The
question of evil? The place of the Bible? What happens in a Meeting for Worship, or
individual worship? (40.2)
From Discipline, Iowa Yearly Meeting of Friends (Conservative), 1974, excerpts supporting
theistic and Christian belief and experience among members of the YM: (citations are page
number followed by paragraph number)

The first paragraph on the first page of text (other than quotations) begins with these words:
The Discipline is a statement of principles and beliefs by which our Society endeavors to
learn and express lessons in Christian living. (iii.1)

The introduction to the Advices and Queries begins with these lines:
Quakerism is a living faith, a faith made real in the hearts of all people through the
inward light of the living Christ. Friends are instructed by this living light, by the
continuing revelation of Christ. We are not left without a witness. (45.1)

This is followed by a call for openness, cast in theistic terms:

We must keep open to that spirit within us which speaks to our individual needs and to
the needs of all, to the spiritual reality that marks us as children of God created in His
image, and instructs us in the paths of righteousness. (45.3)

These lines are from the Advices indicated:

The basis of Meetings for Worship is silent and direct communion with God. Each
individual must consciously and earnestly, in humble reverence, seek for this communion
and for a sense of intimacy with fellow human beings. From the depth of the silence
comes the consciousness of the presence of God. In this experience, the individual will be
helped to achieve a dedication to truth, and will gain strength and direction for living.
One may also feel an urge to share insights with others. (“Religious Meetings,” 46.1)

In Meeting for Worship, with God’s spirit flowing through, Friends gather in a spirit of
silent prayer with a willingness to give as well as to receive. A concern for sharing a
message may arise in advance of the Meeting, but the decision to speak should be left to
the leadings of the Spirit at the time. (“Ministry and Outreach,” 46.8)

The Meeting should be willing to wait upon God as long as may be necessary for the
emergence of a decision which clearly commends itself as the right one. (“Participation in
Meetings for Business,” 48.3)

Love is a Divine gift. Only by opening ourselves to receive it can we feel a spontaneous
love toward those around us. A conciliatory spirit is a part of this love. May Friends keep
faith with one another, waiting in the light for that unity which draws them together in the
love and power of God. (“Harmony Within the Meeting,” 48.7)

Believing that the will of God is advanced by those who devote themselves with unselfish
public spirit to the shaping of a just policy of government both at home and abroad, we
urge Friends to be active in the performance of the duties of good citizenship. The first
allegiance of mankind is to the will of God; yet we advise every citizen to uphold and
obey laws unless they directly violate religious convictions. (53.2-3)
 We belong to a world-wide, interdependent community of living things and natural
resources. People make use of many parts of God’s creation: air, water, plants, animals
and minerals. (54.1)

The spirit of Divine love, as seen in the life and teachings of Jesus, compels us to be
peacemakers. (55.7)

The section of “The Meeting for Worship” has these lines:

The Meeting for Worship is the heart of the Society of Friends. We gather to experience
communion with God. (57.2)

Friends approach the Meeting for Worship confidently, believing that God speaks
directly to us, reveals His will, and gives guidance to the one who listens. Each
worshipper becomes a listener ready to receive God’s message. (57.5)

The absence of outward rites and sacraments in Friends’ worship is a result of our
emphasis on the reality of the inward experience. Direct communion with god and the
baptism of the Holy spirit make the observance of rites unnecessary and even a hindrance
to spiritual experience for some. (57.6)

The membership section begins with these words:

Membership in the society of Friends should be an outward sign of an inward
commitment to the Gospel of Love and of a fundamental unity with the aspirations of the
Society. (33.1)