Religion and Reform

During the 1830s and 1840s America went through an age of reform. Politically and economically the young United States was stable and growing. The War of 1812 finally settled the political issues between Great Britain and the US, and the government was balancing their budget more often than not. People began to look to carrying out the ideals found in the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. This history of reform is largely inherited today by the progressive/liberal segment of the political spectrum who tend to be atheist or agnostic. They would be surprised and some might be disturbed by the fact that they have taken over what was a predominantly religious tradition.

Some of the social issues that were addressed by various reform groups in antebellum America include: alcoholism/temperance, education, prisons, treatment of the mentally ill, women's rights, and abolitionism (the ending of slavery). The only one of the six that is, in some respects, an exception is education. Although Horace Mann, the most significant educator of the age, was Unitarian and believed basic Christian values should be taught, he also stressed that education should be nonsectarian. Curriculum materials from the early 1800s to the early 1900s also had a strong Christian influence. The infamous McGuffey Readers are excellent examples. William McGuffey had a minister father and was an active member of his congregation and this is reflected in his works.

Alcoholism was a significant social and economic problem in the 1800s. Few laws existed protecting women and children from violent alcoholics. The number of lost work hours was staggering and proportionally higher than today. The American Temperance Society was the largest of many groups and its leadership and membership used Christian principles as their justification for regulating alcohol. The Women's Christian Temperance Union obviously did not hide its religiosity. Granted, religion played a large role in society and most Americans were Christian but modern progressives would be shocked at this violation of secularism.

The treatment of prisoners and the mentally ill was also addressed in religious terms. Reformers used the words of Jesus to justify more humane treatment of both groups. In prisons, they demanded better housing, food, and opportunities for exercise. Segregating non-violent, white-collar criminals from the armed robbers and murderers was also one of the movement's goals. Dorothea Dix was the most famous of these reformers. Dix's Christian values fueled her passion. She testified before various legislatures on behalf of the mentally ill, calling for better treatment and special facilities deigned to study their issues and provide remedies.

Finally, women's rights and abolitionism are intertwined movements. Early on leaders saw he plight of women synonymous to the struggles of slaves. Frederick Douglass spoke at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 on the issue of freedom and equality. Leaders of both movements shared names--Beecher, Garrison, Stanton, and Mott. Names with their roots in America's religious tradition. Like the other reform movements, religious arguments were put forth to justify women voting, owning property, and starting businesses. Of course, the plight of African slaves is directly connected to the enslavement of Jews by the Pharaoh and their eventual liberation led by Moses (what was Harriet Tubman's nickname).

This brief look at the role of religion in American and especially progressive reform movements is not meant to demean the more secular-minded liberals today and their attempts at social engineering and government supported reform. It is offered as a reminder that: one, religion is part of our historical fabric; two, Christianity offers very positive ethical values and has been at the forefront of social reform (YMCA-Young Men's Christian Association); and three, secularists are doing themselves and history to discount these contributions.

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