New Religious Sects Essay

1. New religious sects, as well as new literary movements and the Industrial Revolution fueled reformers into making differences in our society. To begin with, Ralph Waldo Emerson and his literary influence had a huge impact on reformers. Emerson strongly believed in transcendentalism, which was an intellectual movement that rejected traditional religion and was based around the idea that people are trapped by inherited customs and institutions. His message of self realization spread to several hundred thousands of people(through his writings and lectures). This inspired others to give their own lectures about their own ideas. Emerson believed in individual reform for the middle class, and supported and celebrated those who rejected the norm

Similarly, Margaret Fuller, who was seeking freedom for women, used literature to spread her ideas and cause more reform. Fuller published Woman in the Nineteenth Century in which she wrote about the transcendentalism and how we could develop a “mystical” relationship with God. She also wrote about how each women deserved social and psychological independence. The ideas presented in her writing inspired many women writers and reformers to fight for women's’ rights and write themselves. Furthermore, new religious sects were vital in driving reformer to make a difference in society. The creation of the Shakers fueled the reformers who support equality for women as their doctrine told Shakers to place the leadership of the community in the hands of both male and the female. They believed god was a”dual person”, man and woman. Additionally, the emergence of the Mormons and their idea of an utopia, or a perfect society, also caused a good amount of people to make a difference in society,even though at the beginning there was stiff opposition to mormonism from the anti-Mormons. However, Brigham Young became the leader of the Mormons after Joseph Smith died, and he led them into present day Utah where they were able to settle and preach their