What’s in our name?   The Religious Society of Friends and the divine commonwealth

Reflections on the meaning of a name

by Harvey Gillman 16th June 2010

I have been asked at times: where does the uniqueness of Quakers lie? Indeed, is there anything that is unique amongst us? In order to respond to these questions, I found it helpful recently to reflect upon our name, the Religious Society of Friends, and how the ideas of religion, society and friendship illuminate each other.