I was in part interested because the Quakers had several times cropped up in my readings on other people such as the influence the Quakers later had on men like Leo Tolstoy and Mahatma Gandhi. Also, being a descendent of Daniel Boone, my roots intersected with the Society of Friends when the Boone's first settled in Eastern Pennsylvania five decades before the American Revolution.
In this imagined interview, I sat down with George Fox (1624–1691) to explore the convictions that shaped his revolutionary spiritual movement. Born in a turbulent era of religious and political upheaval in England, Fox’s radical vision of a direct, unmediated relationship with God challenged the established churches and inspired a movement grounded in simplicity, equality, and pacifism. This conversation delves into Fox’s spiritual journey, the challenges he faced, and the timeless relevance of Quaker principles in a modern world.
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| Cook Street Gate, one of the twelve gates in Coventry where Fox received the first of his three initial "openings"--his term for vision ot revelation. Photo: Creative Commons. |
George Fox: I’d be glad to recount it, though it’s a tale of divine disruption. I was born in 1624 in Leicestershire, raised Puritan, with a heart ever turned toward God. Yet, by my early twenties, I grew weary of the churches—corrupt, rigid, and far from Christ’s true spirit. In 1647, at 23, I wandered alone in the woods, wrestling with despair. Then, a voice pierced my soul: “There is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condition.” It was as if God Himself reached down, revealing I needed no priest or steeple to know Him. That moment set me ablaze. I began preaching a direct communion with God, gathering those who’d later be called Quakers. We sought truth in simplicity, free from dogma’s chains.
EN: You faced fierce opposition—imprisonment, beatings, even death threats. How did you remain steadfast, and what advice would you offer those enduring hardships for their beliefs?
George Fox: Persecution was our daily bread. I was jailed eight times, beaten, mocked, yet I stood firm by fixing my eyes on God’s light within. That Inner Light was my anchor; it whispered I was on the true path. My fellow Friends, too, were my strength—together, we bore the blows, knowing we weren’t alone. To those suffering for their convictions, I say: Hold fast. Trust the divine spark within you. Hardships fade, but truth endures. Lean on your community, and let God’s voice guide you through the storm.
EN: Quakerism’s principles—simplicity, equality, pacifism—are distinctive. How did you envision these transforming society, and do they still resonate today?
George Fox: I saw these principles as God’s blueprint for a just world. Simplicity frees us from greed, turning our hearts to what matters—love, faith, community. Equality, rooted in the Inner Light, demands we honor every soul as God’s own, dissolving divisions of class or creed. Pacifism calls us to seek peace, not with swords, but through understanding. Today, your world—rife with strife and materialism—cries out for these truths. Simplicity could heal your obsession with wealth, equality your fractured societies, and pacifism your endless wars. These are not old notions but living remedies.
EN: The concept of the "Inner Light" is central to Quaker spirituality. Can you explain what it means to you and how it shaped your life and interactions?
EN: You lived in a time of religious conflict. How did you engage with those of different faiths while staying true to your beliefs?
George Fox: I met all—Puritans, Catholics, even skeptics—with openness, seeking the light in them. I believed God speaks to every heart, not just Quakers, so I listened, spoke plainly, and stood firm in my truth without scorn. I’d dispute fiercely with priests I thought misled their flocks, but never to wound—only to awaken. My aim was unity in God’s spirit, not division. Stay true to your light, I’d say, but honor the light in others, whatever their creed.
EN: Quakers’ unprogrammed worship and consensus-based decision-making seem unique. How did you envision these fostering community and purpose?
George Fox: Our silent worship is no empty ritual—it’s a gathering in God’s presence, where each soul listens for divine guidance. No priest dictates; the Spirit moves us to speak or hold silence. This binds us, for we seek God together, equal in His sight. Our consensus reflects that equality—every voice matters, and we wait on God to guide our decisions. This builds a community rooted in trust, not hierarchy, united in purpose to live out God’s love. It’s a living faith, not a performance.
EN: Quakerism has diversified over time, with varied branches. How do you view this, and what principles must remain constant?
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| After a lifetime of curiosity I finally attended a Society of Friends worship service here at the Quaker Meeting House in Duluth. |
EN: Observing today’s world, what Quaker values do you think are most urgently needed?
George Fox: Your world drowns in noise, greed, and conflict. The Inner Light is needed to quiet the clamor, guiding you to truth amid lies. Simplicity could free you from chasing hollow wealth, equality heal your divisions of race and rank, and pacifism end your wars born of pride. Above all, listen—to God, to each other. Live as if all are equal in God’s sight, for they are. That’s the path to a just, compassionate world.
EN: What role does the Bible play in Quakerism? Is the Inner Light informed by Scripture or independent of it?
George Fox: The Bible is a sacred record of God’s dealings with humanity, a guide to truth—but not the only one. The Inner Light, God’s direct voice within, is our truest compass. Scripture can illuminate that light, stirring the soul to righteousness, but it’s no substitute for God’s living presence. I’ve said, “The Scriptures are a good rule to guide us, but we must also have the Spirit to lead us into all truth.” The Light confirms the Bible’s truths and speaks afresh to each heart, for God is not silent.
EN: Any final words for our readers?
George Fox: Seek the Light within—it is God’s gift to you, a spark that never fades. Live simply, love fiercely, and stand for truth, no matter the cost. You are never alone, for God speaks to all who listen. Let that truth guide you to a life of peace and purpose.
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Related
Imaginary Interview #1: A Visit with Artist Paul Klee
https://ennyman.medium.com/imaginary-interviews-1-five-minutes-with-artist-paul-klee-a378aa96a2dd?sk=9467841105ad8239bbf5364b0174704d
Imaginary Interview #2: John S. Hall, the Blind Poet of Ritchie County
Imaginary Interview #3: The Influential French Author Honore Balzac
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