Christian or Cult? Did you know that the early Shakers tremble, dance, shout, sing,?

Question

shake and speak in unknown tongues during service? Did you know that it is said that the shaking was caused by sin being purged from the body by the power of the Holy Spirit that purifies the worshipper? Did you know that they believe that Adam's sin was in sexual impurity and marriage was done away with tbe body of believers in the 2nd appearance, and that the followers came to believe that Mother Ann (founder) embodied all the perfections of God in female form?

All members must be celibate.

You can find the information off the internet. Wikedia(sp?)

Answer 1

Yep, that's a fair summary of the beliefs of the Shakers.

That whole celibate, do-away-with-marriage thing? That's why you don't see any Shakers running around today.

They made really cool furniture, though.

Answer 2

My sister has been writing a book about the Shakers. She as uncovered some very interesting research about them. They had some very unusual beliefs and customs. Yeh, I think cult would be an appropriate term. They didn't believe in marriage, and of course, no sex. The men and women were separated, didn't matter if they had been married. I forget which foot it was, but when you started up a staircase, you had to start with a specific foot. It makes me wonder if we should really sing "The Lord of the Dance" which is a Shaker hymm.

Answer 3

I have two standards by which I evaluate a cult:
1) Lack of freedom to come or go, excessive coercion, or deceptive or oppressive manipulation.
2) Wrongful belief in serious matters.

I don't know if the Shakers use coercion or deceitful manipulation on its members, but I believe they are wrong about marriage. I certainly believe in the option of celibacy and singlehood (I'm single myself, never married), and I also believe that communities of singles are permissible. However, teaching that marriage is no more is anti-biblical. One of the epistles warns against those who would forbid marriage.

Although one may theorize that Adam and Eve's sin involved sexual impurity, Genesis 3 shows that their true sin was disobeying God's command.

Answer 4

Okay, you're just weird. Cults are based on individuals. If you consider Christianity as following Christ, then yes, it is. But I'd rather follow Him than any human you can name.
Yes, the Shakers did those things. So?
Where did you get that unscriptural idea about Adam's sin being sexual?
And God LOVES sex! Read the Song of Solomon if you don't believe me!

Answer 5

the reason different religions do no longer carry forth is as a results of the fact in maximum religions it isn't any longer allowed. To Umar B, Muslims are no longer allowed to transform people, they won't shove their faith down your throat, you're thinking of the overzealous media reporting via Christians that Muslims try to take over the international. there may well be some terrorist videos shown yet you will in no way get any Muslim handing you a leaflet on a highway corner. the reason Christians flow around attempting to transform people is as a results of the fact Christianity is going down the pan, it has the utmost levels of congregation decline out of all religions. faith in basic terms would not slot in with hedonistic values interior the west (i.e the yankee dream, the main unchristian fee interior the international). in case you get jehovah's witnesses in basic terms stick a blood doning sticky label on your window, they in no way call returned. If it is others in basic terms tell them you're gay (would cause them to attempt tougher even with the indisputable fact that)!

Answer 6

Sounds like they got some things right and some things wrong. Not too unusual!

Answer 7

Yeah...I knew.

Answer 8

WHERE DID YOU EVER GET THIS INFORMATION???!! are you jealous?