Religion Essay Example on the Second Great Awakening

The 19th century was characterized by intensive social, political, and economic changes in America. The Second Great Awakening was among the most significant reforms which occurred between the years 1790 and 1840 (Stone, 2012). The reform movement paved the way for other reform movements such as women rights, abolition, and temperament. This paper, therefore, focuses on the issues raised by the Second Great Awakening and its impact on American society. It also evaluates the effects of religion and philosophy on this reform movement.

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The Second Great Awakening was a reform movement depicted by an immense religious enthusiasm that spread across the American colonies (Kelly, 2018). It was marked by a dynamic awakening which sparked a nationwide campaign to convert America into a Christian nation (Stone, 2012). The main issue raised by the reformists was to determine the primary function of religion in politics and American society. Also, they aspired to curb the challenges that had arisen from the 18th Century such as secularization, violence, social and political disintegration. The movement, therefore, was like a call to a moral rebirth in pursuit of putting the society in order.

The Second Great Awakening took place in an era marked by relentless questions. For example, there were questions on the role of an individual in society as well as religion (Kelly, 2018). Secondly, others were proposing the use of scientific principles to comprehend the universe. This was referred to as the 'Enlightenment' period. Thirdly, there was a divergence from the previous church doctrine regarding salvation; hence, individuals started relying on their personal approaches. The reform movement, thus, advocated for a more individual relationship with God.

The reform movement paved way for the founding of new denominations such as the Baptists and Methodists. This move was a blow to the once-dominant mainstream denominations, the Presbyterians and the Congregational (Kelly, 2018). The divergence from these mainstream denominations was sparked by the organization of revival meetings first held in small towns in New England. However, the most remarkable revivalism was experienced in the West later in the Century (Stone, 2012). The revivals attracted thousands of people who were intrigued by the enthusiastic and emotional method of preaching. These, therefore, led to the conversion of many people into the new faith.

The revival meeting of 1801 at Cane Ridge, Kentucky deemed to be the largest camp meeting, as it was attended by approximately twenty-five thousand people. It also gave a platform to Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian ministers to preach together (American History). The emotional outbursts witnessed in the event were one of a kind. The people laughed, cried, shrieked, jerked, ran around, and fell in great numbers (Scott, 2000). The aftermath of this meeting was the adoption of revivals as the evangelical method of winning souls. When news of this meeting spread across the country, there was a tremendous increase of evangelical Christians.

The evangelical 'wave' disseminated from Kentucky to other states such as Ohio and Tennessee (American History). The Baptists and Methodists seemed to have an upper hand in the revivals as each group had its strategy of gaining members. The Methodists, for example, had an effective structure in which ministers who were referred to as "circuit riders" would reach out to local people in distant parts of the frontier (McCook, 2006). These ministers were selected from the ordinary people who could easily interact with the local people. This strategy, therefore, aided the Methodists in converting many of them to their faith.

The mid-nineteenth Century was the climax period of the Awakening. The evangelical activism became more profound as steered by leaders such as Charles Grandison Finney (Scott, 2000). Finney had a strong belief that man's input was necessary in religion, which was a contrast to the Calvinist doctrine where men were incapacitated with regard to salvation. Finney together with other evangelical leaders like Francis Asbury and Lyman Beecher preached the individual's duty in repentance. This doctrine could be likened to a new version of Arminianism. Evangelicalism, therefore, became a significant and powerful force in American society.

Apart from religion, the reform movement also impacted the political and social aspects of American society. Many evangelical ministers, for instance, became involved with social reforms (McCook, 2006). The social reforms were especially prevalent during the Jacksonian era where efforts were made to abolish slavery, expand voting rights, and to form public schools. Evangelical ministers also engaged in political activities with the belief that Christianity was vital in upholding morality in the government (Stone, 2012). They aimed at transforming the American moral system. They, therefore, advocated for honoring of the Sabbath, persecution of blasphemers, and temperance.

Evangelical reforms in political affairs had various effects on American society. First, the evangelicals' demand for honoring the Sabbath resulted in cessation of Sunday mail delivery in 1912 (Stone, 2012). This was after a rigorous legal battle which was initiated by a confederation consisting of ministers and postal clerks. The second involved the rise of temperament societies which were aimed at encouraging people to abstain from alcohol. The evangelical leaders, for example, Lyman Beecher regarded drinking as a sin, hence advocated for its banishment. Finally, the American Temperance Movement was established in 1836 with the aim of prohibiting alcohol consumption.

In conclusion, the Second Great Awakening was one of the most significant and powerful reform movements in America during the 19th century. The movement was a dynamic religious force whose focus was to transform America into a Christian nation which upholds morality. The reform movement was driven by religious revivals that were initiated by ministers who had divergent beliefs from those of mainstream denominations. The Awakening caused a dynamic change in the religious aspect of American society as many people were converted into the new faith. The evangelicalism also triggered social and political reforms which advocated for temperance, expansion of voting rights, and the abolition of slavery. The Second Great Awakening, therefore, became a powerful force whose impact was felt by the Americans.

References

Kelly, Martin. (2018, October 1). The Second Great Awakening. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/the-second-great-awakening-104220

McCook, M. (2006). Aliens in the world: Sectarians, secularism, and the Second Great Awakening.Scott, D. (2000). Evangelicalism, revivalism, and the second great awakening. New York: Queens College, City University of New York. Cit. dle: http://www.nhc.rtp.nc.us,8080.

Stone, G. R. (2012). The Second Great Awakening: A Christian Nation?. Georgia State University Law Review, 26(4), 10.http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/outlines/history-1994/the-formation-of-a-national-government/the-second-great-awakening.php