World Religions

Introduction to World Religions Study Guide theories that examine social development, such as production, class, and power relationships. Different adherents look at several reasons for the class gaps. Marxism views religion as a way to make those with a lesser economic status feel better about their position. Religion gives them hope for things to improve. 9.4 The Great Awakening The First Great Awakening The First Great Awakening started in 1730 and lasted until about 1743. The awakening was an era of revival that occurred in America. Johnathan Edwards’ congregation was involved in a revival later called the “Frontier Revivals”. Protestant ministers of all denominations supported the revivals. These individuals were the children and grandchildren of the first colonists who came to the Americas seeking religions freedom. The fervor had grown cold and church attendance was diminishing. As a result, it became important to revive the spirit in America. The pastoral styles had been deep, theologically-based sermons. They were largely impersonal and were an attempt to engage parishioners’ intellect. Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield had little interest in engaging the intellect of the people, but rather appeal to the emotions. One such sermon was called “Sinners in the Hands of an angry God”. The First Great Awakening was a precursor to the American Revolution. Joseph Tracy was a minister and a historian who preached and wrote an 1842 book called The Great Awakening . This evangelical movement of the 1740s played a key role in the development of democratic thought and the belief in freedom of speech and religion. This was the first time African-Americans were invited to embrace Christianity – and they did so in large numbers. The Second Great Awakening The Second Great Awakening was also a religious revival that occurred in the United States, beginning in the late 18 th century and lasting until the middle of the 19 th century. It occurred in all parts of the US, but was especially strong in the Northeast and Midwest. This movement went beyond the prior movement in that it extended past the educated elite of New England to the less wealthy in different parts of the United States. This epicenter of revivalism was in the “Burned- over” district in western New York, named for the abundance of fire and brimstone teaching denominations. Coupled with The Second Great Awakening were issues of women’s rights. Women worked as abolitionists; as a result, they realized they could also fight for their own rights. The Third Great Awakening The Third Great Awakening occurred in 1850-1910 and was characterized by new denominations, highly active missionary work, and the Social Gospel approach to social issues. The Third Great Awakening resulted in more than 1 million converts to Christianity in the United States. It helped to religiously prepare the United States for the bloodbath that was coming with the Civil War in 1861- 1865. Revivals swept the armies of the South during the days of the war. It produced the leadership, ©2017 Achieve Test Prep Page 90 of 96