What did quakers like William penn believe

Quakers like William Penn believed in religious tolerance, pacifism, and equitable treatment for all people. These tenets were rooted in their Christian faith, specifically within the Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers. William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, held strong convictions about the need for a society where individuals could worship freely without persecution. He envisioned and established the colony of Pennsylvania as a "Holy Experiment" where these beliefs could be practiced.

Quakers rejected formal religious hierarchies and rituals, believing instead in the "Inner Light," a direct and individual experience of God within each person. They did not have clergy or formal religious services and emphasized living a life that reflected their spiritual convictions, including honesty, simplicity, and equality.

Penn and the Quakers were also some of the early advocates for democracy in governance. They believed that government should be based on laws that reflected the will and welfare of the people, rather than the desires of a monarch or ruling elite.

In addition, William Penn and the Quakers were ahead of their time in advocating for fair treatment of Indigenous peoples and were against slavery. Although not all Quakers shared the same level of commitment to these ideals, these principles guided Penn's leadership and the development of Pennsylvania.