November 2007 51
Utopian Societies The Amana Society is a prime example of a spirit based
There were also Utopian societies forming in the early
commune that prospered. The Amana Group, initially
19
th
century, similar in design to the Commune move-
in western New York, moved to Iowa in 1855 where
ment of the 1960’s and ‘70s, though certainly more
they still are known for their refrigerators, microwave
spiritual than carnal, with one glaring exception. The
ovens, and air conditioners.
general idea was to drop out of wayward society and Official Religion in the US?
re-establish where bad influences were fewer or non-
existent. Some inspired claimed to be led by divine
Two hundred years after Washington and Jefferson’s
inspiration, others by their own sound reasoning, but
stand-offish views on religion, reports and tell-all
all are found on the outskirts of American civilization
books relate that the current White House Adminis-
where evil surely couldn’t be found —and for that
tration purposefully staffed ‘neo-cons’, Conservative
matter no one would be looking over your shoulder
Republicans who ascribed to Fundamentalist beliefs
.
(which include the President himself). They set about
The Shakers continued and expanded in the 1820-50 to infuse their view of Christian morality (re: abor-
period with great success. Jefferson early on hailed tion, stem cells, homosexuality, Liberal judges, prayer
them as admirable, and destined to reign supreme, but in schools, a marriage amendment) into public life.
only if they could figure how to make their celibate Some stories report that personal religious revelation
community expand. Today this peaceful and simple at the very highest level helped propel us into the Iraqi
sect (“The Gift to be Simple” hymn) is now virtually War. This is a major shift in the traditional American
extinct. method of governing.
Shakerism peaked in the 1840s, but could not sustain Public money has been distributed to religious groups
itself owing to the inflexible communal society’s re- for ‘church-based initiatives to aid the poor’, and the
quirement of Mother Ann that its members be celi- charter school movement permits church affiliation (no
bate. Encouraging new recruits to the austere lifestyle public control but granted public monies). The Reli-
diminished over time. In the 20
th
century it was diffi- gious Right has had profound influence on current
cult to compete with electricity, cars, and Madison White House policy, while the ‘secular Left’ hoped a
Avenue’s pleasure principle. Letters can be found if more traditional non-religious approach to problems
you know the various towns they developed. The post- would again rein supreme.
mark would be the clue.
Other Exceptions in the Past
The Harmony and New Harmony Societies in West-
ern Pennsylvania, later Indiana were so successful in
The current administration is not alone in its religious
the 1810’s that they gained prominence as a cultural
fervor. An exception to our separation tradition was a
and scientific center and attracted noted scientists,
resolution (1840’s) entered by Senator—and future
educators, and writers. They developed the Nation’
President—James Buchanan to declare the United
s
first kindergarten, first free public school, first free
States a Christian Nation and to acknowledge Jesus
library, and first school with equal education for boys
Christ as America’s Savior. Similar resolutions were
and girls, all amazingly pre-1820.
tendered in the years following. There was a Consti-
tutional amendment considered that would do the
The Oneida Perfectionist Community of western New same, but it too failed as did most of the thousands of
York State was a different story. It was founded by J. proposals for amendments over 210 years.
H. Noyes, who believed he was God’s unquestioned
agent on earth. His message? He obsessed on a ver
In 1863, in the depths of Northern despair over the
-
sion of free love among community members, calling
hellacious human cost of the Civil War, an amend-
it “Complex Marriage”. The surrounding area authori-
ment was proposed that the Constitution’s Preamble
ties tried to indict him for adultery. No, they did not
be altered to read,
make the famous silverware of the same name, or other
We, the people of the United States, recognizing the
products some utopian societies were known for
Being and Attributes of Almighty God, the Divine Au-
. The
group disintegrated when he died in the late 19
th
cen-
thority of the Holy Scriptures, the law of God as the
tury
paramount rule, and Jesus, the Messiah, the Savior
.
and Lord of all, in order to form a more perfect union....
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