Long-time readers know I write about Swedenborgians, Quakers and the Christian end of the Unitarians and Universalists. In the United States, all are in decline.
But there are some denominations that are as dead as a dodo, but only died within my lifetime of 41 years. Call it my “save the whooping cane” childhood, but I nominate three for revival. (Even if it might call for a divine re-animating revelation or two.)
And for extra credit – since I’m unlikely to broach this subject again — Â the long dead, but theologically universalist
Wikipedia and Google scavengers, have fun.
This is awesome! I think the Muggletonians win. They have the most affectionate Wikipedia entry and are prominent as crew members of the Surprise in the “Aubrey/Maturin” novels by Patrick O’Brian What do we have to do to bring them back? Do we put them in warm water with a teaspoon of sugar?
They’re my faves, too. And you know: I think warm water and sugar is the basis of one of their rites. Let’s try!
This is a bit off on a tangent, but I’ve always wanted to write a book about “Endangered Religious Species”, small denominational populations that could go (at least in theory) extinct in my lifetime. Not all of them are progressive.
On my list… Swedenborgians, Schwenkfelders, Social Brethren, Strangite Mormons, the Christian Community, and Divine Science.
The Muggletonians are pretty awesome!
Two-seed-in-the-Spirit Baptists are endangered and Six Principle Baptists may already be gone.
There’s an Philadelphian Church in Lombard Illinois I thought was still active.
Great! Let’s write a book…
I take it back Scot, I think they’re Christadelpians.