Only this year, my fourth year here at SSFS, have I learned that Quakerism is a denomination of Christianity. In my experience with the school, we always try to veer away from religion and focus on our own morals, guided by the Quaker SPICES: Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equity and Stewardship. I don’t see images of saints and we attend Meeting for Worship rather than church. I ask myself: How do we incorporate religion into our education or the daily experience here at Sandy Spring?
I have only met two people at SSFS who are devout Quakers. I, myself, am Jewish; I try to view the Quaker values as a mindset and not a religion that governs my daily life at school. Originally, I thought it surprising that there aren’t many Quakers at SSFS despite the fact that we are a Quaker school. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized the lack of Quaker students highlights the accepting and welcoming ways of our community.
Once I learned about this connection, nothing changed about my perspective on SSFS. I am not an expert in Christianity, but from what I’ve gathered, Quakerism seems to have branched far enough out from Christianity that it is effectively in its own domain.
According to the University of Birmingham, “Quakerism is a way of life, rather than a set of beliefs.” The Friends General Conference states, “The Quaker faith has deep Christian roots. Many Quakers consider themselves Christians, and some do not. Many Quakers find meaning and value in the teachings of many faiths.”
Reading these essays and articles, It seems from an outsider that Quakerism has really diverged from its Christian roots. I now see it as a way for individuals to cope with the world and find their inner peace, using our values/SPICES as a guide.
At SSFS, students may see Quakerism more as a way of life, not something imposed on us as a religion. And that forces us to ask a question: Do our values really work and benefit us in our daily interactions? Are we really better people to one another because of our values?
