Changes in Shaker Theology through Westward Expansion: An Analysis of Death Traditions
Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Anthropology
Minor
None
Institution
Eastern Kentucky University
KY House District #
73
KY Senate District #
28
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Dr. Kelli Carmean
Department
Anthropology
Abstract
Through their expansion west into the American frontier, the religious group known as the Shakers experienced theological and cultural changes between their original New England communities and the newer established communities in the west. Two specific death traditions are examined as means to measure the changes in expressions of religiosity among two sites: Mount Lebanon, New York and Pleasant Hill, Kentucky. Higher amounts of change among religiosity represents the Shakers’ culture becoming more “worldly” opposed to remaining traditional in their cultural theologies and practices.
Changes in Shaker Theology through Westward Expansion: An Analysis of Death Traditions
Through their expansion west into the American frontier, the religious group known as the Shakers experienced theological and cultural changes between their original New England communities and the newer established communities in the west. Two specific death traditions are examined as means to measure the changes in expressions of religiosity among two sites: Mount Lebanon, New York and Pleasant Hill, Kentucky. Higher amounts of change among religiosity represents the Shakers’ culture becoming more “worldly” opposed to remaining traditional in their cultural theologies and practices.