Imaginary Interviews: A Visit wth George Fox, Founder of the Religious Society of Friends (a.k.a. Quakers)

About seven years ago I created several imaginary interviews as a creative way of introducing friends and readers to people from the past whom I found interesting. This week I thought it. might be interesting to continue this series, beginning with George Fox, founder of the Religious Society of Friends, better known as the Quakers. 

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.

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.

EN: Mr. Fox, could you share the pivotal moment that sparked your spiritual journey and led to the founding of the Quaker movement?  

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?  

George Fox: The Inner Light is God’s presence in every soul—a divine spark that speaks truth, guides conscience, and kindles wisdom. It’s no distant deity but a living voice within, urging us to righteousness. For me, it was my compass, guiding decisions, softening conflicts, and teaching me to see others—rich or poor, friend or foe—as bearers of that same light. It made me listen, not judge; love, not condemn. When I met a soul, I sought their light, and it forged bonds stronger than any doctrine.

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?  

After a lifetime of curiosity I finally attended a
Society of Friends worship service here at the
Quaker Meeting House in Duluth.

George Fox: I rejoice that the Friends have grown, though I grieve when divisions arise. The light within us is one, and its truth doesn’t bend to factions. The core must hold: the Inner Light as God’s voice in all, simplicity to keep us humble, equality to honor every soul, and peace to heal a violent world. Let branches flourish, but let these roots remain, for they are God’s eternal call to us.

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.

* * * * * 

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

https://ennyman.medium.com/imaginary-interviews-2-john-s-hall-the-blind-poet-of-ritchie-county-5bddd0db5cd7?sk=071d23202a4673f2091abeaab1517499

Imaginary Interview #3: The Influential French Author Honore Balzac 

https://ennyman.medium.com/imaginary-interviews-3-the-influential-french-author-honoré-de-balzac-eec642f739cf?sk=20aa802f87d49f0cf5bcfc51e2475b72

Religion in the Public Square

Yesterday I mentioned a few themes from the book Founding Brothers, but I avoided the issue of religion in the public square because there was insufficient space to make a point I wanted to explore.

The manner in which the slavery issue was debated throughout early American history exemplifies, probably more than any other, the challenge of bringing religion into public debate. The Quakers were quite vocal against it from the beginning, but their voices were dismissed because they were also pacifists who had been against the revolution itself. To some extent there was a condescending attitude toward the Quakers because although they were "nice" and "good" their views were not practical.

The tragedy (one of many, actually) with regard to Christians bringing the Bible to bear upon political issues like slavery is that the slaveholders were themselves church-going Bible-believing Christians who quoted the Scriptures to defend their way of life. Even after the end of slavery, these same believers went on to defend racist policies and fight against the very principles of freedom for all which the revolt against England was all about.

This unfortunate misuse of the Bible within the context of politics is not a uniquely American phenomenon. In Britain, during the Irish potato famine of the mid-nineteenth century Christians in Parliament argued that the people of Ireland should not be fed or helped in any way because it was a judgment of God.

Does this mean Scripture does not apply to political battles? Am I suggesting that Christians should have no voice in the political process? Absolutely not.

My personal belief is that the Ten Commandments, for example, are not true and good because God said them. Rather, they are true and good because God is a loving God and He understands how the soul works and the human social order works, that murder and adultery and lying are behaviors that damage communities and ourselves as well. It is in our best interest to live in harmony with the underlying rules of the universe we find ourselves in.

This may be an oversimplification for the sake of brevity, but I take it to the public square in the following manner. When arguing our case, whether it be for life affirmation or against the wrongfulness of treating humans as property, we must speak into the culture without the religious jargon and hardline arrogance that says, "My view is God's view." As mortals, can any of us have an absolutely perfect understanding of the ramifications of every situation, every piece of congressional legislation?

In point of fact, everything is easy in the ethereal realm of ideas and ideals, but it gets messy when you pull it down into the broken mess that is our world today. First, being a hardliner makes it very hard to find common ground to negotiate solutions with your enemies. Second, a thing may be "wrong" to one person but all the solutions are equally bad. Numerous examples can be cited.

Bottom line: our philosophical approach as Christians in the public square must be one of being Biblically informed, but we can't march into the arena spouting Bible verses and expect to have influence. Bible-wavers have been on both sides of nearly every ethical issue, from slavery to Viet Nam.

Our attitude must be one of humility and teachableness. The real need in the public square is for truth, compassion and justice to prevail. These are values for which banners must wave and for which all Christians must speak up. Our world is broken. How can we not make some attempt to be agents for healing and restoration?