Final answer:
Quakers, including William Penn, believed in 'inner light,' social equality, and a personal form of worship without church hierarchy, leading to radical views that resulted in their persecution in England. They faced severe punishments like fines and imprisonment, driving them to create a safe haven in Pennsylvania.
Step-by-step explanation:
Quakers, or the Society of Friends, which William Penn joined, were considered radical in England due to their progressive religious beliefs and practices. William Penn, a prominent Quaker, promulgated the idea of the 'inner light' in everyone and rejected the concepts of predestination, worldly rank, and hereditary privilege. They believed in social equality and conducted their speech and interactions based on that belief.
Their radical notions extended to religious practices where they rejected all sacraments, liturgies, and paid ministries. They focused on quiet contemplation and the guidance of the Holy Spirit which led to a very personal and direct form of worship without the need for a church hierarchy or ceremonies. This approach to religion and social structure put them at odds with the Church of England and the social norms of the time.
They were persecuted in England for their refusal to conform to conventional religious practices and societal norms, which included fines, public whippings, and imprisonment. Their refusal to pay tithes, bear arms, take oaths, and adhere to social hierarchy markers subjected them to harsh penalties. This persecution led them to seek refuge and establish a colony in the New World, Pennsylvania, where religious tolerance was central, and there was no official church established. Penn also sought to create a safe haven for Quakers in Jersey before founding Pennsylvania.