Why do Quakers not practice the Eucharist?

The Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers, do not practice the Eucharist because they believe that outward rites and sacraments are unnecessary for experiencing the presence of God.12

The central theme of Quakerism is the Inner Light—the belief that every person can experience the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit without the need for formal rituals, creeds, or an ordained clergy. Quakers view the Eucharist as an overly formal ritual that can constrain or distract from this immediate, mystical experience of the divine.123

Historically, Friends have sought to dispense with outward sacraments entirely, emphasizing instead a worship practice centered on silent waiting and communal attentiveness to divine guidance. By rejecting these traditional ordinances, Quakers maintain a focus on spiritual simplicity and the belief that one’s relationship with God is internal and direct rather than mediated through external religious acts.12