Remnant

It's strange to watch cultures disappear in real time. I always feel sad to hear that some language is now spoken only by a handful of old people, and I get the same feeling in response to news that there are only four living Shakers, who could end up being the last of their faith. I take heart in this, however:

One of the group's members, Ann Lee, earned the role of leader in the 1770s. Known as Mother Ann, she was persecuted and jailed for preaching unorthodox beliefs such as sexual and racial equality, pacifism, and that God possesses both masculine and feminine traits.

At the very least, the passage of time has allowed these threatening concepts to seep into many branches of faith and into modern culture more generally. Perhaps the Shaker movement helped accomplish something more lasting even than its private community of believers.

(via Rebecca's Pocket)