{"product_id":"the-quakers-in-america-columbia-contemporary-american-religion-series","title":"The Quakers in America (Columbia Contemporary American Religion Series)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Quakers in America is a multifaceted history of the Religious Society of Friends and a fascinating study of its culture and controversies today. Lively vignettes of Conservative  Evangelical  Friends General Conference  and Friends United meetings illuminate basic Quaker theology and reflect the groups diversity while also highlighting the fundamental unity within the religion. Quaker culture encompasses a rich tradition of practice even as believers continue to debate whether Quakerism is necessarily Christian  where religious authority should reside  how one transmits faith to children  and how gender and sexuality shape religious belief and behavior. Praised for its rich insight and wide-ranging perspective  The Quakers in America is a penetrating account of an influential  vibrant  and often misunderstood religious sect. Known best for their long-standing commitment to social activism  pacifism  fair treatment for Native Americans  and equality for women  the Quakers have influenced American thought and society far out of proportion to their relatively small numbers. Whether in the foreign policy arena (the American Friends Service Committee)  in education (the Friends schools)  or in the arts (prominent Quakers profiled in this book include James Turrell  Bonnie Raitt  and James Michener)  Quakers have left a lasting imprint on American life. This multifaceted book is a concise history of the Religious Society of Friends; an introduction to its beliefs and practices; and a vivid picture of the culture and controversies of the Friends today.  The book opens with lively vignettes of Conservative  Evangelical  Friends General Conference  and Friends United meetings that illuminate basic Quaker concepts and theology and reflect the groups diversity in the wake of the sectarian splintering of the nineteenth century. Yet the book also examines commonalities among American Friends that demonstrate a fundamental unity within the religion: their commitments to worship  the ministry of all believers  decision making based on seeking spiritual consensus rather than voting  a simple lifestyle  and education. Thomas Hamm shows that Quaker culture encompasses a rich tradition of practice even as believers continue to debate a number of central questions: Is Quakerism necessarily Christian? Where should religious authority reside? Is the self sacred? How does one transmit faith to children? How do gender and sexuality shape religious belief and behavior? Hamms analysis of these debates reveals a vital religion that prizes both unity and diversity.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44946835374133,"sku":"ByrdShop_0231123620","price":45.21,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780231123624.jpg?v=1769968365","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-quakers-in-america-columbia-contemporary-american-religion-series","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}