221k views
2 votes
Why were the Society of Friends persecuted in England during the 1600s?

User Mabalenk
by
7.4k points

2 Answers

3 votes
They were prosecuted partly because: they refused to bear arms in war
User Steve Paulo
by
7.8k points
1 vote

Answer: They refused to bear arms in war.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Society of Friends, also known as Quakers, consider that war is against God's commands, so they are pacifist that advocate for non-violence.

They declared their commitment to peace in 1660, and have opposed all wars since then refusing to bear arms during conflicts.

However, Protestantism view of them as blasphemous and as a threat to social and political order led to their persecution in England and Wales under the Quaker Act 1662 and the Conventicle Act 1664.

User Daniel Bubenheim
by
7.4k points