This is part of a series called “answers for a small-f friend.” These articles are deliberately simple, informal, and under 200 words…the kinds of answers that I might give casually over a cup of lemonade.
If you’re wanting to go deeper, I recommend Faith and Practice (any yearly meeting’s version) or Quaker Process for Friends on the Benches by Mathilda Navias. If you’re a video person more than a text person, try the QuakerSpeak series, available online.
Do you have a question I should add? Let me know in the comments.
Is there anything all Quakers have in common?
No. But will you accept 99%?
Nearly all Friends believe that God speaks to everyone, without needing an intermediary.
Nearly all Friends assert that God guides us, that we’re given particular work to do by God, as individuals and as communities.
Nearly all Friends participate in corporate discernment.
Nearly all Friends agree that every person is immeasurably precious, worthy of respect, and deserving of opportunities for redemption even if they’ve done wrong.
Nearly all Friends strive for peace over violence, individually and societally.
Nearly all Friends recognize children as spiritual beings, capable of receiving and sharing spiritual wisdom from the divine, though in need of special protection until they mature.
Nearly all Friends say women are called to ministry as often as men.
Nearly all Friends value spiritual transformation over physical fulfillment of sacraments or liturgy.
Nearly all Friends try to tell the truth strictly and act with integrity.
Nearly all Friends have faith that our world can become better for everyone. We need not wait for a Second Coming.
Nearly all Friends are willing to engage in conversation, and possibly ongoing relationship, with any other Friend simply because both are Friends. Which gives me hope.
Turning, Turning 
Just what I was looking for, and simply absent of Quaker jargon. Thanks