United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing

The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, commonly known as the Shakers, was a Christian religious sect founded in the 18th century. They emphasized communal living, pacifism, gender equality, and celibacy. The group believed that Jesus Christ’s second coming had already occurred spiritually, and they dedicated their lives to living out God's kingdom here on earth through simplicity, hard work, and harmonious living. Their distinctive practices included shaker dance worship, which symbolized spiritual awakening, and their innovations in furniture and crafts. Although declining today, the Shakers influenced American religious and social history through their pacifism and communal ideals.