Introduction
A series of religious revivals swept across America especially the northern highly industrialized nations at the beginning of the 19th century. This revolution was known as the second most influential great awakening of the religious institutions. Majority of Americans sought refuge in religion as a means to seek solace in a highly changing industrial society. By 1800, one out of a possible 15 Americans belonged to certain religious institution. This saw the mushrooming of new religious institutions such the Baptist of martin Luther king junior and the Mormon who constituted the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints and the shakers. This case study will focus on the shakers and their mode of religion.
The shakers were originally called the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, but due to their dancing nature they were called the shakers. This religious sect was founded by an English semi illiterate founder woman known as Ann Lee. Guided by divine light and sings of a great vision she together with eight pilgrims came to America to spread the gospel.
Their religion was characterized by a completely celibate life where religious endures is core. Theirs was a characteristic unique revolution in America as they were not be influenced by the historical conditions of the day. The shakers were the only institution that practiced equality for all members whether black or white male or female characteristics that were inevitable in the American social society of the 19th century. “Shakerism is a system which has a distinct genius, a strong organization, a perfect life of its own, through which it would appear to be helping to shape and guide, in no small measure, the spiritual career of the United States.”(Hepworth Dixon, 1867)
Their historical evolution in America is characterized by religious conservatism and ideals that are very similar to the Christ kingdom. They believed in the aspect of pure and defined religious life. Shakers were amongst the first group of persons to free slaves in America and in the southern long before slavery were abolished. The shakers were characterized by technological innovations and inventions. They made every handy appliance and were the first to utilize electricity in their communities when Washington the state’s capital was still using gas in the 17th century. They highly contributed to the American architecture and art. Though they are currently a handful in America they still maintain that their religion will never die. Their religion is characterized by the unique shaker dancing that has endured centuries of change. They still maintain their unique life as celibates and their unique dressing codes (Valentine Rathbun, 1782)
The founder of the shakers society, the holy mother Ann lee is considered the most pioneering personnel of religious revolution from the single congregations of the Church of England and Catholicism to renowned evangelism and Protestantism. Her arrival to America marked the struggle for independence and she was suspiciously arrested for not helping America preach badly about the British and she was put under house arrest. Her approach to communism and communal ownership of property was against America’s upcoming capitalism. Their life was much characterized by communal living and had characteristics of the utopian society. According to Ann lee the founder,” It is as impossible to fully set forth the power and effects of this new religion as to trace the airy road of the meteor (Valentine Rathbun, 1782)
Works cited
Rathbun, Valentine. A Brief Account of a Religious Scheme: Taught and Propagated by a Number of Europeans, Who Lately Lived in a Place Called Nisqueunia, in the State of New-York, but Now Residing in Harvard, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Commonly Called, Shaking Quakers. by Valentine Rathbun, Minister of the Gospel. [two Lines from Proverbs] to Which Is Added, a Dialogue between George the Third of Great-Britain, and His Ministers ; Giving an Account of the Late London Mob, and the Original of the Sect Called Shakers. the Whole Being a Discovery of the Wicked Machinations of Th Principal Enemies of America. Worcester [Mass.: publisher not identified, 1782.
Dixon, William H. New America. London: Hurst and Blackett, 1867.
