What Was The Shaker Society

The Shakers, also known as the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, are a religious sect most known for their faith, craftsmanship and handmade furniture. They are, however, more than meets the eye. These quiet people are generous beyond their means, humble to a fault and remarkably forward-thinking as well as technologically inclined.
The Shakers were born out of frustration from Quaker reformation in England. This reformation addressed a specific practice in which followers would shake or thrash during worship. Quakers were looking to move away from that type of euphoric worship in order to change the public’s perception of them. As a result, around 1747, a small group of “shaking Quakers”, later shortened to Shakers,
It was a mutually beneficially situation. For the children, they could have a stable home life and learn a trade all while being homeschooled. Likewise, the Shaker community was enriched just from having the children there as well as extra hands to help with various chores and trades within the community. The children were raised until adulthood and then were given the choice on whether or not they would like to stay with the Shakers. There was never any pressure to stay and those that chose not to, were always sent off with a learned trade, a small amount of money and an open invitation to come back whenever they chose. Though they have always had a small following compared to more major sects of Christianity, this unpressured approach along with the celibacy is proving to be the Shakers downfall. Unfortunately, their membership is at an all-time
Meaning, they all share ownership of their land, buildings, and responsibilities associated with said property; They even choose pay their own taxes, which is quite unusual since most churches in the United States choose to take advantage of the Everyone is expected to help with chores or tasks that need to be completed and there is always plenty to do in the community. Since Shakers seek a simpler life they often grow their own vegetables and raise livestock which are either eaten or raised to contribute to the community (think sheep, which are used for their wool, which is then made into yarn). Though they often opt for the simple life they are by no means akin to the Amish. They have and use electricity, they go to grocery stores and use many modern day conveniences like us, but they do so under the notion that these conveniences were created by God to free up more time for them to worship Him.
The Shaker impact in contemporary times is pretty vast. Since the Shakers embraced technology as a way to get closer to God, we are able to own and use many of their inventions. Shakers invented flat brooms, “washing machines with powered agitators, and adjustable water temperatures and soap concentrations… a rotary harrow, wrinkle-resistant fabric, a pea sheller, a revolving oven, a machine for coring and quartering apples” (Wolkomir 2001) and packed seeds for