On this day in 1736 in Manchester, England, Ann Lee was born. A member of the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing (otherwise known as the Shakers), "Mother" Lee had a revelation that propelled her to lead her husband and seven followers to America to set up a Shaker community here in 1774. The Shaker name was derived from "Shaking Quakers," as the group had splintered from Quakerism and practiced ritualistic dancing, shaking and singing in tongues. They also practiced celibacy, pacifism and gender equality in communal living arrangements. Which brings me to this book for sale on Amazon: Yes, you may learn to make a heckuva chair from these instructions, but unless you make it whilst living in a religious commune practicing celebacy, pacifism and gender equality, can your chair be "authentic" Shaker?
Discuss among yourselves.
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