British Quakers have denied they are 'dropping God' as they voted for an 'adventurous' change to their teachings.
More than a thousand Quakers met in London this weekend and agreed to rewrite their book of discipline, the Quaker faith and practice. But a spokeswoman denied reports the denomination was removing any reference to God in favour of terms such as 'spirit' or 'the mystery' despite almost 15 per cent of Quakers identifying as atheist.
'In four days of discussion I did not hear anyone say they thought we should remove reference to God,' Anne van Staveren, press officer for Quakers in Britain, told Christian Today.
'I think it is misleading. We might talk about what God is in different names and how we will hear different people's experiences. But we are not about to drop God.'
She said no 'definitive trends' had emerged over the nature of the changes but said the new book would 'make sure all genders are reflected' and recognise the full extent of gender fluidity.
The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain was one of the first Christian groups in the UK to campaign for same-sex marriage in 2009. It backed the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act in 2013 and has altered the guide since then to reflect those changes.
Although the guide will not drop references to God, the group admitted the changes would be 'bold' and be heavily influenced by younger members.
Paul Parker, recording clerk for Quakers in Britain said: 'Once in a generation, Quakers decide to take a long hard look at our faith, what it means to us, and what we can say about it. Today's bold decision to revise Quaker faith and practice means it's time for us to do that again. It's exciting. We want to hear the insights of younger and more diverse people, and set out how we are a faith fit for the 21<sup>st century. I'm looking forward to it.'
The last change to the rule book was in 1995 and took a decade to complete.
Although numbering only around 22,700 attenders across 474 meetings in Britain, meaning the Society of Friends is one of the smallest Christian denominations, the group is outspoken on issues such as pacifism and climate change.
Its approach differs significantly from most other churches. Quakers do not have a concept of ordination but are led by 'overseers'; there is no formal liturgy or preaching, but a meeting sits in silence and waits for 'discernment' from God; and they do not hold solely to Christian theology but accept insights from other religions as well.
The Quakers were founded in the 17th century by George Fox, a dissenting preacher who advocated pacifism and attracted a following that eventually became the Society of Friends.
