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Quiz about The United Society of Believers The Shakers
Quiz about The United Society of Believers The Shakers

The United Society of Believers (The Shakers) Quiz


The Shakers are well known for their chairs, but they're also an interesting religious community. How much do you know about them?

A multiple-choice quiz by natsim. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
natsim
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
109,206
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
1221
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. The Shakers began to meet as a community in 1747. Where did they begin? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. The Shakers began their community as a break-away from another Christian group; which group was that? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. What was distinctive about the Shaker style of worship? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Who was the charistmatic leader of the Shaker community when they began their mission in the USA? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. In which states of the USA did Shaker communities exist? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. The Shakers reached their peak of membership just prior to the Civil War. Roughly how many believers were there at this time? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Which of these famous songs was written by a Shaker? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. What was unusual about Shaker communities? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. What is distinctive about Shaker furniture? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Are there any Shaker communities left?



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The Shakers began to meet as a community in 1747. Where did they begin?

Answer: Manchester, England

The Shakers first met together in Manchester, England. Some Shaker leaders sailed to the USA in 1774 to establish the community in rural New York (near Albany). Eventually, the Shakers left behind in England "lost the faith", and the Shakers became a wholly American religious phenomenon.
2. The Shakers began their community as a break-away from another Christian group; which group was that?

Answer: The Religious Society of Friends

The Shakers broke away from the Quakers (officially known as "The Religious Society of Friends"). They retained some of the distinctive beliefs of the Quakers, including pacifism and equal roles for both men and women, but differed considerably in their style of worship.
3. What was distinctive about the Shaker style of worship?

Answer: People shook violently, danced wildly, and sang loudly.

Shakers were named (originally rudely!) because of their unusual worship style. Rather than a formal church service, as was common in the Church of England at the time, the Shakers "shook violently with the Spirit of God"; they also danced, sang loudly, and spoke in unknown languages. With their larger gatherings, of 700 people or so, this caused quite a stir in the rural community where they lived.
4. Who was the charistmatic leader of the Shaker community when they began their mission in the USA?

Answer: Mother Ann Lee

Mother Ann Lee joined the Shakers in Manchester, and it was her vision and decision to take the Shakers to America. It is said by some that she was the second incarnation of Christ, but it's not clear that this was an actual belief of the Shaker community of the time.

It's certainly not a belief of today's Shaker community. Father Joseph and Mother Lucy were her successors (and I made up the name of Father William!).
5. In which states of the USA did Shaker communities exist?

Answer: New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana

While Shakers were mainly based in New England, there were also large communities in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.
6. The Shakers reached their peak of membership just prior to the Civil War. Roughly how many believers were there at this time?

Answer: 6 000

Shakers were probably persecuted in the Civil War, as they had been during the War of Independence because of their pacifist stance. The Shakers were anti-slavery, but would not take up arms to fight in any wars.
7. Which of these famous songs was written by a Shaker?

Answer: 'Tis a Gift to be Simple

The early Shakers were known for singing religous songs to dancing tunes - something that shocked other Christians at the time. "Simple Gifts ('Tis a Gift to be Simple)" was written by Elder Joseph Brackett Jr. (1797-1882), and is typical of Shaker philosophy.
8. What was unusual about Shaker communities?

Answer: They shared everything in common and were celibate.

The Shaker communities held all goods in common, and men and women lived separately. They saw celibacy as the purest way to live, so marriage was discouraged, as was idle conversation between men and women. They offered hospitality to strangers and welcomed outsiders to their worship services, so they never sought to be a wholly separate society.
9. What is distinctive about Shaker furniture?

Answer: Clean, simple lines and elegant construction

Shaker furniture and basketry are now collector's items. They are characterised by very simple and practical construction, which reflect the Shaker outlook on life.
10. Are there any Shaker communities left?

Answer: Yes

Sabbathday Lake in Maine is the only surviving Shaker community. You can visit their website at:
http://www.shaker.lib.me.us
Source: Author natsim

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor CellarDoor before going online.
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