The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, also known as the Shakers, was one of the most fascinating religious groups in America from the late-18th through the early-20th centuries. During an era of widespread secular and religious reform initiatives, the Shakers sought to embody a purity of life, re-make human relations, and fulfill a utopian vision of a “New Heaven and a New Earth.” By the mid-19th century, they had attracted nearly 6,000 adherents living in 18 branches and 58 families.
Shakers accepted the divinity of a female God; embraced expectations of a millennium foretold in the New Testament; were dedicated to physical labor; and practiced a form of primitive communism. They were also pacifists and lived celibate communal lives. The collective prayer of their songs and dances was highly formalized and proved a dramatic cultural and spiritual contrast to those of other sects. The quality of their model farms, crafts, and folk art enjoyed stellar reputations.
William Dinges, professor emeritus of religious studies at The Catholic University of America, examines the origins of the Shaker movement. He discusses its theological worldview; the structure of community life; relationships with the outside world; and the broader social, cultural, and historical factors that both contributed to the Shakers’ longevity and led to their demise.
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