The Quaker faith is one with a number of beliefs which set it aside from other religions and Christian sects. These beliefs make Quakers very difficult to define, since they are largely governed by their own personal faith and ethics, and the Quaker religion actually lacks a governing universal creed. Since the Quakers have had a surprisingly large impact on society, given how small their global membership is, understanding their basic beliefs can be very helpful.

The origins of the Quakers, also called the Religious Society of Friends, can be found in England during the 1700s. This was a period of extreme religious turmoil, and some people felt that the Christianity of England at that time was no longer true to the teachings of Christ. As a result, they founded their own religious group, which is closely associated with Christianity. However, Quakers can also profess another faith at the same time, such as Buddhism, and they may also say that they are agnostic.

The central guiding principle of the Quaker faith is that the spirit comes from within, in a concept called “inner light.” An individual's inner light governs his or her beliefs, and no one in the Quaker faith will tell someone else what they should believe. This is a reflection of the larger belief that all people can commune with God, should they choose to do so, without the actions of an intermediary. In addition, Quakers are expected to translate their inner faith into direct action. For example, if the spirit moves a Quaker to believe that the mistreatment of animals is wrong, he or she must act to put a stop to that practice.

Quakers also do not believe in a hierarchy of any kind, and they have a very egalitarian religious practice. Men and women of all social ranks are considered equal by Quakers, just as they are in the eyes of God. Quakers also tend to believe in living simply and honestly, and they prefer to take affirmations rather than oaths. This preference stems from the idea that taking an oath implies that one might lie, whereas an affirmation implies agreement with the principle of honesty. As a result of this belief, some nations allow people to take affirmations rather than oaths in situations like court.

At a set time every week, Quakers will gather to sit in silence at a meeting. During the meeting, if someone feels particularly moved by the spirit, he or she will speak. Otherwise, the group sits in silence, taking the time to contemplate God and their daily lives. In Quaker-run organizations, a silent period may be held daily for the purposes of contemplation. No one leads the meeting, because this would go against the Quaker idea that people need no intermediary to communicate with God.