A survey of these guides to faith and practice across the Quaker spectrum reveals that the principles of integrity, honesty and simplicity are still printed in plain, legible type. Most common are the Queries, those searching questions, freighted with the moral and spiritual significance of biblical teaching and Friends' testimonies. Nearly extinct, however, is the historic practice of requiring members and Meetings to answer the Queries openly. In the 20th century there has been considerable variation in the use of the Queries. Many Friends could argue persuasively that no set of words, no creed, no affidavit nor notarized contract could guarantee, absolutely, the honesty and integrity of fallible human beings.
People get greedy.
They lie, they steal from each other and tell more lies to cover their tracks. Only Christ, who taught us to pray for deliverance from temptation and evil, can save us from our own fallenness. Many others argue for safeguards and standards on paper, for watchdogs and public accountability. Donors had nowhere to turn to obtain an objective assessment of the financial integrity of Christian organizations desiring their support. The ECFA helps member organizations to publicly disclose their financial practices and accomplishments, and in 1989 began an on-site field review program to confirm compliance with ECFA membership standards.