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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.

Author
natsim

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
109,206

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1223

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The Shakers began to meet as a community in 1747. Where did they begin? Hint

London, England

Sabbathday Lake, Maine

Albany, New York

Manchester, England

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Question 2 of 10

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

The Methodist Church

The Church of England

The Religious Society of Friends

The Congregational Church

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Question 3 of 10

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

Men and women shook hands at the beginning and end of the service.

People shook their hands in the air while singing Wesleyan hymns.

People shook violently, danced wildly, and sang loudly.

Worship was silent except for the reading of a Scripture.

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Question 4 of 10

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

Father William Sheaker

Father Joseph Meacham

Mother Ann Lee

Mother Lucy Wright

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Question 5 of 10

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

New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine

Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine

New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island

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

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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

18 000

10 000

1 000

6 000

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Question 7 of 10

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

Amazing Grace

How Great Thou Art

The Old Rugged Cross

'Tis a Gift to be Simple

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Question 8 of 10

8. What was unusual about Shaker communities? Hint

Men were allowed to have multiple wives.

They were not allowed to speak to each other.

They shared everything in common and were celibate.

They did not communicate with the outside world.

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Question 9 of 10

9. What is distinctive about Shaker furniture? Hint

Delicate wooden inlays on table-top surfaces

Intricate carvings and ornamentation

Clean, simple lines and elegant construction

Scriptural quotes engraved on non-visible surfaces

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Question 10 of 10

10. Are there any Shaker communities left?

Yes

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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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