Willian Penn

1. What important things did Penn do? Why was he important?

William Penn was born on October 14, 1644, in London. Williamwas interested in religion. When Penn rebelled by protesting compulsory chapel attendance, he was expelled at age 17. Thomas Jefferson called Penn "the greatest law-giver the world has produced."

William Penn was the first great hero of American liberty. Penn was the only person who made major contributions to liberty in both the New World and the Old World. He was locked up in prison six times for speaking out courageously. When he was in prison, he wrote one pamphlet after another. Penn sailed to America on the ship Welcome and arrived November 8, 1682. His First Frame of Government provided for secure private property, virtually unlimited free enterprise, a free press, trial by jury and, of course, religious toleration. Penn had a death penalty for 200 offenses, and he reserved it for just two--murder and treason. Penn defended Pennsylvania, he faced tough challenges back in England. There was a lot at stake, because Pennsylvania had become the best hope for persecuted people in England, France, and Germany. Penn's fortunes collapsed after a son was born to James II in 1688. Later, Penn was arrested for treason, and the government seized Penn's estates. When Penn was cleared in November 1690, he was marked as a traitor again. Penn became a fugitive for four years, hiding amidst London's squalid slums. He had a friend, John Locke, who helped restore his good name in time to see his wife, Guli, who died on February 23, 1694. In October 1712, Penn suffered a stroke while writing a letter about the future of Pennsylvania. Four months later, he suffered a second stroke. Later, in the 18 century, Penn and his friend John Locke, showed that people who are courageous enough, persistent enough, and resourceful enough can live free, and showed how a free society would actually work, and showed how individuals of different races and religions can live together peacefully when they mind their own business. He affirmed the resilient optimism of free people.

2. What is Quakerism? What did they believe? Why did other Christians hate and persecute Quakers?

The Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as the Quakers, was founded in England in the 17th century as a Christian religious denomination by people who were dissatisfied with the existing denominations and sects of Christianity. Society members are known as Quakers or Friends. Quakerism has spread to other countries, Australia, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Ireland, Kenya and the United States. The total number of Quakers is relatively small, approximately 350,000 worldwide. Many Quakers feel their faith does not fit within traditional Christian categories of Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant, but is an expression of another way of experiencing God.

The Quakerism believed that direct experience of God was available to all people, without mediation. Fox described this by writing that "Christ has come to teach His people Himself".

(Wrote this early this year or late 2008)