cohesive factor

The most cohesive factor in the material we have seen is the presence of prophetic or inspired personalities comprising the membership of a particular heretical group. Each new group considers the messages and manifestations that its members receive to be direct divine communication. Heretical sects take their leaders to be vessels, communicators, even participants in divinity. Often, they consider themselves to be precursors to the Millennium.

The single force that changed the character of the Wardley Society and its Quaker/French Prophet foundations was the role of Ann Lee. After two decades within the group, her personal empowerment, her particular experience with and interpretation of sexuality, and her identity with divinity in all things all served as focal points for the elemental aspects of the new sect. Ann Lee's theological legacy of the "maternal principle" provided the foundation for later Shaker religious ideas and beliefs. But it was her personal charisma, the way she actually functioned as leader, which gave birth to the early Shakers.

• sect and religion

• Medieval heresy

• Although

• basis

• Introduction

• Most modern

• conclusions

• persecution

• communism

• notion