What are the Shakers' identity and beliefs?

Origins and Historical Context

The group commonly known as the Shakers emerged during the mid-18th century, tracing its roots back to a small community of English Quakers who embraced enthusiastic and ecstatic forms of worship. Their name, “Shakers,” arose from a shortened version of “Shaking Quakers,” referencing their spiritually expressive, shaking movements in worship services. They formally became the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing under the leadership of Ann Lee (1736–1784), who moved with a small band to colonial America in 1774.

Following their settlement in New York, the Shakers gradually expanded into other American colonies and states, establishing agricultural communities noted for innovation and self-sufficiency. Historians cite various Shaker inventions—such as improvements on the circular saw and clothespin—as evidence of their industrious character and inventive approach to communal living. During the late 18th to mid-19th century, these communities grew, although they eventually declined, due in part to their practice of celibacy and a diminishing number of converts.

Foundational Theological Tenets

1. Belief in a Dual Revelation:

The Shakers taught that Jesus was the first manifestation of Christ upon the earth, and that Ann Lee was the second. They believed that divine truth both began with Jesus and continued in a new revelation through Ann Lee, regarded as the Mother in spiritual matters. This perspective marked a clear departure from the traditional Christian position that Jesus alone is the singular incarnation of God (cf. John 1:14).

2. Celibacy and Communal Living:

Shakers believed that sexual relations, even within marriage, hinder spiritual purity. As a result, their communities regulated strict celibacy for all members. Men and women lived in separate quarters, though they worked together in supervised settings. Additionally, members shared property and resources communally, reflecting an endeavor to practice the early church ideal of believers “having everything in common” (cf. Acts 2:44–45), although it was carried out in their distinct interpretation.

3. Pacifism and Nonresistance:

Shakers upheld nonviolence and pacifism as central to their identity. In their view, Jesus’ teachings to “turn… the other cheek” (Matthew 5:39) established a principle of peaceable living, reflected in their refusal to participate in war and their efforts to resolve conflicts within their communities without force.

4. Distinct Worship Style:

Shaker worship services were marked by dancing, shaking, and other physical expressions of devotion. They believed these motions symbolized the shaking off of sin and receiving God’s Spirit. Records of visitors to Shaker meetings in the late 18th and 19th centuries describe passionate singing, spinning, and group dancing.

Central Figures and Leadership

1. Ann Lee (Mother Ann):

Often regarded as the founder of the Shaker movement in America, Ann Lee preached repentance and communal living according to what she called “the Christ Spirit.” She was seen by followers as a manifestation of Christ’s return in a female form—a concept sharply at odds with mainstream Christian doctrine (cf. Galatians 1:8, which cautions against preaching “a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you”).

2. Subsequent Leaders and Elders:

After Ann Lee’s death, leadership passed to other “Elders” and “Eldresses” who organized Shaker communities, published doctrinal material, and upheld the strict regimen of Shaker life. Writings from these leaders, such as textbooks on Shaker theology and manuals on their unique worship practices, shed light on their efforts to maintain unity. However, no single figure after Ann Lee carried the same overshadowing authority across all Shaker communities.

Scripture and Additional Revelations

The Shakers did hold the Bible in reverence but believed in ongoing revelation that continued beyond the canonical text. They saw visions, spiritual gifts, and revelations to leaders as authoritative for guiding the community. This stance contrasted with the principle within historic Christianity that Scripture alone (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16–17) is the infallible guide and that apostolic revelation closed with the New Testament.

Lifestyle, Innovation, and Distinct Practices

1. Property and Economy:

Members signed over personal possessions upon joining, trusting community leaders to manage shared assets for the entire society. Shaker villages often featured advanced farming methods, innovative architecture, and well-crafted goods, such as finely made chairs. These items were sold to the broader public, reflecting a faithful stewardship mindset, although from a unique doctrinal framework.

2. Architecture and Design:

Shaker buildings and furniture reveal a blend of practicality and beauty. Some structures, like round barns, were erected to optimize efficiency. Archaeological discoveries in former Shaker village sites demonstrate the group’s attention to order, cleanliness, and systematic design.

3. Hymnody and Songwriting:

Shakers produced a sizable body of musical works, many containing repeated phrases and direct appeals to repentance and communal unity. “Simple Gifts,” composed by Joseph Brackett in 1848, remains one of the most famous Shaker hymns and has been reinterpreted widely in modern music.

Points of Divergence from Historic Christian Orthodoxy

1. Christology and the Role of Ann Lee:

Traditional Christian teaching rests on the uniqueness of Christ’s incarnation (cf. John 14:6) and His once-for-all atoning work. Shaker doctrine introduced a second appearance of Christ in a female leader, which departs significantly from the mainstream theological perspective, which views Christ’s singular resurrection (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:3–4) as the final and complete expression of God’s plan for salvation.

2. Celibacy and Human Relationships:

In Scripture, marriage is often affirmed as honorable (cf. Hebrews 13:4), though the New Testament also extols the virtue of singleness for those called to it (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:7–8). The Shaker mandate of celibacy for all adherents stands outside most Christian fellowships, which do not require abstinence from marital relations.

3. Continuation of Inspired Revelations:

The Shakers’ emphasis on new revelations and spiritual gifts beyond those recognized in the New Testament has long placed them at odds with the idea that the biblical canon is complete, a view widely held since the early centuries of the Church.

Decline and Modern Remnants

By the late 19th century, Shaker communities began losing members. Several factors contributed:

• The practice of universal celibacy limited natural growth.

• Cultural shifts in the United States made separate communal living less appealing.

• Religious revivals and denominational growth in the 1800s provided alternative spiritual communities for seekers.

Today, only a few Shakers remain in a single functioning community in Maine. Most historical Shaker villages operate as museums or historical sites, preserving buildings, artifacts, and archival documentation. Living testaments of Shaker innovation—particularly in craftsmanship, architecture, and music—remain part of American cultural heritage.

Summary and Reflections

The Shakers, once flourishing in the 18th and 19th centuries, are now a nearly vanished community. Notable for disciplined communal living, pacifism, and industrious innovation, their identity centered on the belief in multiple manifestations of Christ, culminating in a female leadership figure they viewed as the second appearing of Christ.

While they maintained a high regard for biblical principles on moral purity and communal sharing, their convictions about continuous revelation and celibacy for all stand at variance with orthodox Christian theology. Outside scholarship and historical inquiry—through archaeological evidence of their villages, analysis of their published works, and the accounts of outsiders who visited their worship gatherings—confirm the distinctive way these communities expressed their faith.

Ultimately, the Shakers illustrate how fervent religious devotion, shaped by a particular revelation and leadership framework, can heavily influence the structure and longevity of a faith-based movement. Their legacy persists in museum sites, music, and crafts, forming part of the broader tapestry of American religious history.