Introduction
Do quakers drink coffee? Quakers, also known as members of the Religious Society of Friends, are members of a faith community founded in the 17th century and dedicated to living a peaceful and spiritual life in harmony with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
The question of whether or not quakers drink coffee has long been a source of confusion and debate. Coffee, while generally accepted by many people to be a pleasurable and necessary part of life, is known to be a stimulant and, in some cases, can be a source of physical addiction. While coffee is by no means forbidden to quakers, the Society of Friends’ history, practices, and beliefs have driven many members to abstain from its consumption.
History
In the 1600s, Quaker founder George Fox forbid his followers from drinking alcohol and the ban on coffee didn’t extend to Quakers until more than 150 years later. The ban on drinking coffee was like the many “building-block” rules that shaped the early Quakers’ way of life and, eventually, their priorities.
By the 1800s, John Woolman — a radical Quaker abolitionist — and several other leading Quakers had also encouraged their fellow believers to abstain from drinking coffee. Woolman’s influence was deeply felt: In 1807, the Quaker Yearly Meeting in Philadelphia embraced Woolman’s sentiments and banned any consumption of coffee by members.
Strict Abstention
At one time, Quakers were so adamant about this rule that any member caught drinking coffee was likely to face expulsion from the Society of Friends. Even today, many Friends adhere to a strict policy of abstention, while others might be more relaxed. Some Quakers are also encouraged to view coffee in the same light as any other pleasurable indulgence and to reduce or abstain from it in order to be more of a witness to their faith.
To many Quakers, abstaining from / consuming coffee is part of their journey towards the light; the peaceful, loving, joyous and gentle way of life that their faith calls them to practice.
Individualism
Quakerism never required strict abstinence from coffee-drinking — at least, not in the way that it did for alcohol. And, in recent decades, the expectation of abstinence has waned. It is not uncommon for contemporary quaker congregants to consume coffee in some form, whether it is at a meeting or in their home lives.
Still, Quakerism remains a lifestyle of individualism. There is no universal way of living and no one way to be a Friend. This makes it difficult to make a general statement about the coffee-drinking habits of Quakers.
Environmental Implications
Coffee-drinking has had far-reaching environmental implications. Many leading Quaker organizations have long been advocates for stewardship of the planet and the practice of responsible consumption. Quakers are often early adopters of sustainable practices like shade-grown and organic farming, recycling, and the usage of renewable resources.
In keeping with this ethos, an increasing number of Friends have opted for fair-trade and sustainable coffees, which is helping to combat child-labor and deforestation, conserve species and natural habitats, and promote a just and equitable supply chain.
Spiritual Implications
Nevertheless, the debate over coffee-drinking clusters around spiritual implications. Quakers have a spiritual focus, and their beliefs extend into the moral dimension of their actions. While abstinence remains an important part of the Quaker tradition, the decision whether to consume coffee — and how to consume it — is left up to the individual Quaker.
Conclusion
In the end, it is up to individual Quakers to decide whether or not to partake of coffee, and if so, how much. While abstinence has a long and important place the Quaker tradition, modern Quakers make their own decisions about their spiritual, social and environmental habits — including their coffee-drinking choices.
