Social Movements and Religion in American History

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ARDA LEARNING RESOURCES Social Movements and Religion in the United States

Many social movements in American history emerged from religious groups and religious ideals. Some movements sought to inspire a new wave of religion while others used religious principles to motive broader social change. In this learning module, you will learn the history of important religious movements and social movements inspired by religion in the United States.

Open your web browser and go to the homepage for the Association of Religion Data Archives (www.theARDA.com).

Click on the “Interactive Timelines” tab on the homepage. Now that you are on the landing page for the Interactive Historical Timelines, scroll down to the section entitled “Social Movements and Religion” and click on “Interactive Timeline” button below that title. Now that you are on the “Social Movements and Religion” interactive timeline, click “Continue” on the pop-up menu to begin. For assistance navigating the interactive historical timelines on the ARDA, click here.

Historically, many social movements used religious ideals and interpretations to promote broad social change and societal improvement. Pick one of the following social movements on the interactive timeline that reflect this phenomenon: “Abolitionism” (1680s-1860s), “Temperance Movement” (1820s-1930s), “Settlement House Movement” (1880s), and “Civil Rights Movement” (1950s-1960s). Entries are listed chronologically by their general start dates. Click the “More” tab to read a short description, and then scroll down to the “Find Out More” tab, which takes you to a full narrative. After reading the social movement of your choice, answer the following questions.

Name of social movement: ______

1. What were the main goals of this movement?

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2. How did religion inspire these goals?

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3. Who were some of the major religious figures in this movement and why were they important?

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4. Finally, did the movement accomplish its desired goals? Why or why not?

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5. Christian missions often sought to proclaim Christianity and bring material resources to non-Christian communities. However, mission-based movements and their goals can change quite a bit over time. Read the following four entries: “Missionary Movement” (early 1700s), “Woman’s Missionary Movement” (mid-1800s), “Missionary Member Care Movement” (1980s), “Missional Church Movement” (1998). Write a cohesive narrative using all four entries describing how Christian missions have evolved over time.

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The 1830s and 1840s inspired several new religious movements, specifically “Transcendentalism” (1836), “Millenarian Movement” (1844) and “Spiritualism” (1848). Read these entries. Which of these movements…

6. …was accused of fraud and even had their founders recant the supernatural origins that inspired the movement?

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7. …led to the eventual rise of Adventist denominations, like Seventh-day Adventists and Jehovah’s Witnesses?

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8. …is known for inspiring renowned American writers like Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson?

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9. One of the biggest clashes in 19th and 20th centuries American religious thought was the modernism vs. fundamentalism debate. Read the following two entries: “Christian Modernism” (1870s) and “Christian Fundamentalism” (scroll to 1915). Describe each movement and why they clashed with one another.

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10. Next, read the entry “New Evangelicalism” (scroll to 1947). How did new evangelicals find a balance between fundamentalism and modernism?

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Match the following description to the appropriate 20th century religious/anti-religious movement.

11. Promotes the end of religious influence in society a. Neo-Paganism

12. Associated with crystal healing, yoga and astrology b. Secular Movement

13. Contemporary witchcraft is one form of this movement c. Anti-Cult

14. Warns against dangerous new religious groups d. New Age

Religious movements often either call for unity or reinforce division among different groups of people in society. Using the interactive timeline, and referencing entries that have not already been mentioned in this module, describe one movement that unites people and one movement that may divide people.

Movement that unites: ______

How does it unite people?

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Movement that divides: ______

How does it divide people?

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In this module, we have looked at the history of social movements and religion in the United States. It should now be clear that religion inspires new waves of thought and motivates broader social change.