Dance Party Erupts During Quaker Meeting for Worship

[@jonwattsmusic]

Thanks to everyone who has commented on this video through the years, and everyone who keeps coming back! It really means a lot to me. And if you have a minute, I hope you'll check out my new project: TheeQuaker.org

[@ZeranZeran]

Dude 3:33 you were ahead of your time with rap! lol, I'm not kidding here. Great flow.

[@Brettpavel1]

I am a 57 year old real estate broker in northern Colorado, and I love this video! The Friends came to my aid when I was only 18 and refused induction (the draft) to the Marine Corp during the Vietnam War. Love will find a way!

[@tredhill]

What a crazy bunch of Quakers you are, how fabulous and fantastic. wish you could add add some of your energy and light our way in the UK. xx Terry

[@hyndman106]

There are Hicksite Quaker Meetings in Ireland, England, and Wales.

[@wendyerskine6951]

Quakers are all over uk. I'm one from Scotland. ❤❤❤🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@TCDavis]

Amen, Friends! I'm a retired Presbyterian pastor who loves the silence every week in Quaker meeting. Heard about this video there this morning. What a hoot! Love your gentle sense of humor, poking fun at yourselves. The world needs more of that!

[@denisegabuzda4101]

I found Jon Watts' video "Dance Party Erupts During Quaker Meeting for Worship" absolutely liberating. I am also not a Christian, in a traditional sense, but am very much a Quaker. I felt upheld to hear a viewpoint so close to my own sung so boldly. Thank you, Jon!

[@hyndman106]

Friend speaks my mind.

[@JoshuaAdamsNYC]

This just keeps on making me smile.

[@urgulp1554]

I'd never really looked in to Quakers until I saw this video, this is definitely a good advert for the religion. I remember my dad (who has been a spiritual-seeker-type ever since the 60s), always said he had a soft spot for the Quakers and what they believed. They also helped him to find a job and somewhere to live when he moved in to a new town where he didn't know anybody, which is pretty cool. I have experienced the light-within via meditation so I see what they are saying. I think that the best religions are the ones who don't take life and dogma too seriously. It looks like you had fun with this :)

[@Epimpin101]

The four principles of quakeism are Peace, Equality, Integrity, and simplicity... and basically each person has their own ideas about how these princliples apply to them and apply to the world around them. The whole religion is about building a personal relationship with God, and finding out what he wants you to believe. Quakerism has been in my family for many generations since my ancestors were in England, it's a great religion imo.

[@lizakroberts]

This video is AWESOME! I just watched it like 10 times. I have wanted to go to a Quaker meeting for a long time, but been too shy, too busy or just unsure if I could be a Quaker. But now I am inspired to check it out and attend a local meeting. Thank you!!!

[@TheFreemason48]

Great to see "O" from the Quakerspeak video in the video next to Jon.

[@jeffohnj]

I loved it! I'm not practicing religion but I'm keeping my eyes and heart open for a new direction. This video inspires me. So does the QuakerSpeak series of videos. Thank you, Jon.

[@amychristiansen3678]

This Friend speaks my mind, eloquently describing my own experience of spirit as well. Thank you for representing this segment Friends' relationship with the "light within" amongst the broad and varied experiences of the Light that unifies Friends.

[@vermontDavid]

that is wonderful. Thank you for sharing your light

[@FineCountryLiving]

I keep enjoying this over and over again, thanks!

[@unabashedcub]

this is so much fun and i love the classic hands in the pockets thing.

[@FineCountryLiving]

Jon, my boys can't get enough of this video, and I certainly don't mind watching it over and over again...thanks!

[@celestedickson]

Fantastic song and video. Thank you for sharing it.

[@kadukihum9456]

celestedickson God is for everyone .this generation time need to be appreciated will being taught as God commands for us to be His friends.

[@kadukihum9456]

am a Quaker from Kenya and I'm always blessed will in Quaker church😀

[@ZeranZeran]

I feel like half of me was meant to be a quaker, and the other half just nothing. But I still love this, and the idea of it too.

[@dropastory]

Thank you Jon! Wonderful and inspiring work as always. As someone raised in a traditional Christian church, going to Guilford and finding Quakers was like a breath of fresh air. I think this song speaks to my experience of struggling with the labels I have put on myself or have had put upon me. I'm grateful to have Jon as a friend and a Friend to articulate this experience with so much beauty and joy. - Connie

[@Whimspiration]

That was the most beautiful thing I have seen on KZbin in ages. Thank you!

[@lucymoon]

Friend speaks my mind!

[@AmeliaDoll777]

i love being a quaker. its things like that remind me how much i love it

[@annewhirledge-karp6396]

Fabulously filled with spirit! Greetings from a Friend on Lopez Island.

[@penningtondemos4948]

"Now I'm begging Max Carter to tell me some more." Haha, so true.

[@indiana144]

my favorite moment is when fab Maggie gets up to dance! it's wonderful to see so many beloved faces - Dan, Erin, Andrew. the mere possibility of this happening in meeting ought to pack the meetinghouse for weeks...

[@Octoberfurst]

I loved this video. I have been to Pendle Hill & it is a wonderful place! I love being a Quaker because it lets me get in touch with God without the need for clergy or elaborate rituals. All you need to do is be still & let God speak to your heart.

[@elizabethdixon7173]

Love it! Thanks so much!

[@AnarchyInYourHead]

I recognize one of those ladies from my local Meeting!

[@cag4]

Greetings Friends, from San Diego -- Love this video! And as the father of two young Friends, I rejoice in the vitality of the message AND the medium. Out here in Pacific Yearly Meeting we are all considering our relationship to Christianity; some feel drawn to that label, some are repelled by it, and some are comfortable in the space in between... but I hope all can take heart in the quest for discernment.

[@mogbaba]

As a non-biiever, I love the freedom you find among the Quakers!

[@violachic]

Hey, Jon! I've been coming back to watch it since you first put it up on KZbin. It's one of my go-to pick-me-ups, and that's exactly what I need right now, in a time of such violence and hate. I'm not Quaker but I've been hanging out with them in the activist community for over 15 years and count them among my closest friends. Thank you for what you do, and for this great piece that reminds me that this is a joyful life.

[@christistackhouse8980]

I need this in my life.

[@elizestr]

Shout out from Langley Hill -- this Friend loved your video!

[@ukemandan]

Way to go Jon! Josh Shelton's dad here. Go Jon, go Pendle Hill, go Max Carter, go Guilford, go Quakers!!

[@shanepetzer724]

cool Meeting! ... I love this video!

[@lokisez]

this Friend speaks my mind as well!

[@ykryu]

This is so lovely & groovy. Plus high quality video & sound. I'm a former PH resident. Very happy to see the Barn. I guess the spirit of PH community is still very much alive. Thank you for sharing!

[@cimmerongillespie8152]

This is so excellent!!!

[@HellkillerOwnage]

I'm noy a quaker but i go to a quaker school and they showed this is assembly and thought it was funny and very addicting :D

[@squashdudes]

I apsolutly love it and and it brought so much joy. LOVE IT

[@dcam1862]

Awesome. Funny how many people don't have a clue about Quakers. Guil Co. represent. ;-)

[@soundLikePNW]

AWESOME! Good job, John!

[@MilitantQuaker]

This is fantastic. Thank you Jon.

[@grail68]

This is super awesome, I love it! I learned something about the Religious Society of Friends today :)

[@TheMarips]

You should make an "answer" video! :-) I love Jon's, but I love your verse as well! Well done!

[@andreauehara4003]

an "oldie but a goodie"? ....a peak into a Friendly multiverse?.... what does one do with the joy that is bubbling within, that we struggle to contain?...if I laughed and uproarious belly laugh that pierced the silence, would you understand? (like John Cages four minutes of silence as a piano solo, would you hear the cacophony of joyous Spirit that surrounds you?) .....Andrea Uehara, Multnomah Friends Meeting, Oregon.

[@merryn8]

Friend just made my day. Awesome

[@ObservationsofMaggie]

I give thee open claps for this , Jon.

[@EarlhamMusicChic]

love, love, LOVE!!! Great job

[@organicearth405]

Haha! This is great. The singer looks so happy!

[@whatever81]

Ha! The video's ok, but I LOVE reading the comments! I don't relate to the chorus, but I appreciate the conversation it has generated. That's part of what drew me to the Friends in the first place - open minds. I think God calls us to ponder on his teachings and apply them to our life. Are all our lives the same? No, so we're going to see things differently. I'm not suggesting we abandon the 10 commandments, the golden rule or anything, but it is refreshing to hear people disagree civilly.

[@shotoku]

This song makes me feel good to be a Friend. Thanks! :)

[@tedottey7771]

I'm sorry Friends but if this ,dare I use the word blasphemy,is condoned in a meeting,then how "pray tell"could God's Holy Spirit be present? I am trying not to judge,but you got to draw the line somewhere do you not? Am I missing something here. My direct ancestor was a man named John Ottey.He is listed on the manifest of passengers of The Good Ship Welcome along with William Penn.I wasn't there at the time but I'm pretty sure that kind of language would have been discouraged to say the least! I am searching now for that little church with the little door that only a few will be allowed to enter.Please someone tell me this does not represent even the most liberal of Friend's Meeting Houses. Please someone "enlighten" me.Theodore W. Ottey.(Friend of God)..P.S. I am not talking about the Rap the music or the dancing,God approves of all types of worship,except repetitious babbling. Ok please someone talk to me about this.

[@oldtimeway1]

Ted Ottey Unfortunately, you would find with some so called "friends" today this is what you may find. There are some "friends" meetings where the people are pagans and call themselves Quakers. You are correct, Ted, this is most certainly not what our forefathers who were the earliest Friends believed now would they have ever condoned this. I descend from Nicholas Waln, John Simcock and George Maris, and the Martyr Thomas Budd, all prominent early Friends ministers and theirs was a Christ centered quiet worship. I have writings of my great great great grandparents who were missionaries to the Osage in Indian Territory. They believed in Christ centered worship and their concept of Jesus Christ was not that of "the Christ Spirit" as so many of the liberal Quakers of today put it, but their concept of Christ was that He was the son of God and God the Son, the Savior of the world. They believed the Bible was God's word, but that God speaks to us and through us. The "inner light" was the Holy Ghost and I know my ever so great grandfather John Simcock was on record as believing there is salvation in none but Christ and that any revelation that is truly of the Light will be in harmony with the written word. I'm in agreement with you, that what is shown in this video is nothing short of chaos.

[@tedottey7771]

10-4

[@reflectionsinthebible3579]

Ted Ottey the one in charlittesville, va is off the ship too. sad because I have relations that are quaker with a pastor (one being a pastor). the quakers have gone off the deep end.

[@reflectionsinthebible3579]

Guttermonk Billy love thy neighbor as thyself but recognize Jesus' teechings as truth and tell anout His truth. that is what it is not to judge. and discussing amongst said christians God's word is not judging.

[@acumenfinito]

Friend speaks my mind =) I think I love you after watching this video xD. I have been thinking so much about how I am supposed to identify as Quaker if I don't identify as Christian and you explained my thoughts so well thru this badass song.

[@bear47401]

I also found it wonderful just to see some familiar faces of Friends I love and admire. The "content" part that remains incomprehensible to me is this: If one faithfully seeks to be guided by the Light of Christ Within, in what meaningful sense is one not a "Christian"?

[@jacquepagels6591]

I am a birthright Friend and have attended numerous Meetings throughout my 68 years. While I enjoyed the talent demonstrated this video I do hope people viewing it do not think it representative of Quakerism. I would find it very disruptive to Meeting for worship if that were to occur during g Meeting. I feel Meeting Worship is to center into the Spirit in silence. Yes again talent is exceptional but inappropriately demonstrated

[@2Ryled]

When I went to school you were never to close your eyes

[@tomatcaravela]

@esstampclub There are very few universally accepted truths in the Quaker community. Tolerance and acceptance are two of them. A particular beleif in Christ is not.

[@mareejones5674]

Interesting lyrics bro! Unusual to hear "I'm not a Christian, but I'm a Quaker"...Mmm now that's an oxymoron. Agnostics and other faiths come to Quakers, as attenders but as members that means letting life speak to Quaker values, which incidentally are pretty close to Christ's values, and his conduct was the ultimate 'pattern' Fox suggested following. It is the following of Christs ways that makes Quakers Christians; Quakers don't need to spruke about him being let into life as the saviour etc. with supercalifragilistic powers!!! Just following his steps to live the values is just about as Christian as anyone can get in the modern world. Hard work it is too, in a world that is corrupted by politicians with poor or weak ethics. peace be with you :) from OZ

[@deepal1930]

In my experience it is quite common. We each have our own path and Meetings I have known respect that.

[@sallyboyd-daughtrey2034]

LOVE IT

[@gitfiddler716]

Somebody likes Cake! Great song!!! 🙂

[@redhotchileanpeppa]

very nice

[@beverlytmail]

yay!! love it!

[@Daiska_Plays]

This was so cute. I see it offends some people, and maybe I'm not a "true" Quaker, but what really defines it? The reason I Identify as Quaker is because of the attitude each individual is free to inerpret the light inside of them without rules, to find their own way to meaning. The acceptance of every human being, flaws and all. Is what they did here harming someone? No? Obviously this was a staged thing, and it made me smile, and shows a lighter side of things, as well as the "big tent" that welcomes all types.

[@JesseMetzler]

Love it. Love it. I RECOGNIZE MY FRIEND ANDREW! I can't remember your last name, dude, because you're not on facebook. I do remember when you broke your nose playing Ultimate at Earlham and you wore a scary face mask for a while :-)

[@Clumsygirl529]

we watched this in meeting for worship at my school :D

[@bear47401]

I would like to lift up the recent Pendle Hill pamphlet "Christianity and the Inner Life" by Margery Post Abbott. One quote: "If we do not understand how profoundly the early Quaker understanding of Christianity differs from those forms of Christianity that we may have had negative encounters with in our own lives, then we have lost for ourselves a great resource for the inner life." (p. 4) I would encourage anyone interested in Quakerism to take a look at the entire pamphlet.

[@ortelere]

Performed at my school. Be jealous

[@Safora13]

This is hilarious! Love it

[@jackrutledgegoembel5896]

I go to Shiloh, but I'm not actually religious. The camp is just such a fun place to be!

[@sept1755]

Even though I am a christian quaker, this video "speaks my mind."

[@PaulaEdwina]

Friend speaks my mind as well. This was brilliant! Thank you, Friend. It spoke to my condition.

[@mrcdad]

For those of you gainsaying Quakers that don't believe in Christ I ask, are you worshiping the messenger above the message? And if you answer no, does it really matter where the message comes from?

[@susieenglish302]

Sometimes the light just makes you dance

[@frankpeter6851]

This friend speaks my mind

[@helenaclayton824]

I love this

[@yee3771]

Fantastic!!!

[@roxyredrose1]

honestly, as a quaker, this goes hard

[@christinatracy2119]

Loooove this!

[@vanessadd]

I am a Christian, but don`t think I can judge anyone else for what they say/feel they are, and good Christians don`t judge anyone either, chadodi! I AM a Christian, AND a Quaker from FUM, but my unconventional ways of living on the Colombian border and handling the extreme violence in this city you probably wouldn`t like either, although it sure works- perhaps God likes it. And God is happy when we accept differences.

[@sallyboyd-daughtrey2034]

Could you enable captions?

[@JesseMetzler]

Oh, by the way... SHOUT OUT TO FRIENDS MUSIC CAMP, BARNESVILLE OHIO!

[@quakerbabe]

this is so great!

[@claudiawilson9189]

I have been watching quite a few of the Quakerspeak videos and find them very informative and accurate. This video, although catchy, is not representative of a typical meeting nor does the rap represent the beliefs of all Quakers. I agree with a preceding post that it should have been identified as a "production" that highlights a particular individual's musical talents. This is not to say that many powerful things can happen during a meeting for worship, singing, sharing, catharses, love. I suggest you look at many of the other videos that would give you a much better understanding of the Religious Society of Friends and Quaker beliefs.

[@sapphoculloden5215]

Nothing "represents the beliefs of all Quakers". That's kind of part of the point of not having set creeds or dogmas.

[@hyndman106]

And mind that most of those QuakerSpeak videos were produced by Jon Watts.

[@EmilyMD5]

I love this so much!

[@marcusfroberts]

I was bought up a Quaker till I was 19 but then discovered the amazing things Jesus says, for instance in John chapter 10-15. I gave my life to Him and am now in a church that often dances together out of joy that the Holy Spirit is with us.

[@Cloud2013]

I see where you are coming from but its not for me. I mean, twenty five years of attending meeting and I have never spoken. I have heard a lot of messages from Friends during those meetings (some verbal and some not). The closest I ever came was after a member sang a verse of Amazing Grace and I wanted to sing Instant Karma!

[@augustvonmackensen7499]

Lol these people gonna say lord lord. Jesus gonna be like “depart from me”

[@letsgetcrunktv3000]

this is how we roll

[@FrederickMart]

So, I think that in the context of FGC YMs, he's actually being intriguing for just mentioning Christ positively. The real joke/point/fun/message of the video is to see all these Friends at an oh-so-silent meeting for worship get moved (by the Spirit, right?) into dancing. So, he's encouraging staid-and-stuffy silent Friends to get involved in their religion, go deeper, sing and dance in worship, and start getting some kind of relationship with Christ. What more could you ask? :-)

[@HepCat333]

Thank you babe.

[@flippin30]

I love this.

[@GoDxLink]

this is beatiful

[@FabulousTempest]

Friend, I have another quote for you: "We're the Society of Friends/ it's time we acted like it/ and start to work together..." - Jon Watts This country is STILL involved in preemptive wars. There are those calling for us to turn our backs on the needy and to cut our fellow citizens off from healthcare. The war drums are beating again in DC. This nation is in moral crisis. It needs ALL of us in the RSOF. Hold this Friend in the Light even if he doesn't speak to your condition.

[@gitfiddler716]

So you admit you are not Christians. Thank you for your honesty.

[@Maximillian-Tiberius-Rex]

Great video tho unlikely to happen in a real meeting 4 worship HOLDING EVERY QUAKER IN THE LIGHT in Friendship and in faith

[@boogerie]

George Fox "Letter to the Governor of Barbados" "This Jesus, who was the foundation of the holy prophets and apostles, is our foundation; and we believe there is no other foundation to be laid but that which is laid, even Christ Jesus who we believe tasted death for every man,

[@Maximillian-Tiberius-Rex]

wish all m4w (meeting for worship) were like this

[@staclynn72]

Love it! way cool!

[@manchadogma]

it is, isn't it.!?!! And whatt a nice relief it is to see some Magic now. :-)

[@manchadogma]

I'm guessing icaleb is making a distinction re: Hicksites @ split. I wish I had taken MCarter's Q101. A quote from J of GFox I like a lot: "Be patterns, be examples in all countries, places, islands, nations wherever you come; that your carriage and life may preach among all sorts of people, and to them; then you will come to walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in everyone; whereby in them you may be a blessing, and make the witness of God in them to bless you". ~ George Fox.