Indian Shaker Church facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| ~2000 (late 20th century) | |
| Founder | |
| John Slocum | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Pacific Northwest |
The Indian Shaker Church is a Christian denomination that started in 1881. It was founded by John Slocum and his wife Mary Slocum from the Squaxin Island Tribe in Washington state. This church mixes beliefs and practices from Indigenous traditions, Catholic faith, and Protestant churches.
It's important not to confuse the Indian Shaker Church with the Shakers (United Society of Believers) or the Native American Church. They are different groups.
Contents
The Church's History and Practices
How the Indian Shaker Church Began
The story tells that John Slocum (also known as Squ-sacht-um) became very sick in 1881. He seemed to die during his wake, which is a gathering before a funeral. But then he woke up! John said he had visited heaven. There, an angel told him he needed to start a new religion.
A few months later, John became sick again. His wife, Mary, began to shake and tremble while praying for him. Soon after, John got better. People believed Mary's shaking prayers had healed him. This is why the religion is called the Indian Shaker Church. Members often shake during their religious meetings. This shaking is believed to have healing powers.
The story also says that Mary had sent for a casket because John was thought to be dead. The casket was coming by canoe down the river. Just as it was about to arrive, John woke up. He told everyone he had met Jesus and what they should do.
Early Church Buildings and Beliefs
The first church building was built at Mud Bay. This place is near Olympia, Washington. It was close to the homes of two other church founders, brothers Mud Bay Louie and Mud Bay Sam.
When the Indian Shaker Church first started, its members did not use the Bible or other written scriptures. Instead, they believed in talking directly with God. They felt that understanding God's message didn't need a book. They believed it was already in their minds and souls. Many different Native American groups along the Northwest Coast of North America began to practice this religion. These included the Klallam, Quinault, Lower Chehalis, Yakama, Hoh, Quileute, Wiyot, Yurok, and Hupa tribes.
Practices and Influences
The Indian Shaker Church combines different religious ideas. From Catholic practices, they use hand-held candles and ring small hand bells loudly. They also make the sign of the cross three times. From Protestant churches, they have public sharing and confessions.
Native traditions are also a big part of their worship. These include "brushing" or "stroking" to remove bad influences. They also move around the room in a circle, often stomping their feet. Sometimes, members receive new songs from the spirit during services. Church members are expected to avoid alcohol and tobacco. They focus on being careful, kind, and asking God for help.
Challenges and Growth
The new religion faced many difficulties and was not welcomed by some non-Native people. Like the Ghost Dance, there were misunderstandings. Some feared a Native American uprising. For a time, laws even banned Native American religious practices, including those of the Indian Shakers. Many members faced challenges for their beliefs.
The US Indian Service put up notices that tried to control the Shakers' meetings. For example, they were told to keep windows open and only use one bell. They were also told to stop shaking at certain times. These rules show how much opposition they faced.
By the late 20th century, the church had about 20 groups and 2,000 members. In the 1960s, a split happened. One group, called "conservative," still did not use written religious materials. Another group, called "progressive," became more open to using the Bible and other written texts.
Today, Indian Shakers continue their practices on the Northwest Coast. You can find their churches in Washington, Oregon, California, and British Columbia.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia india Shaker para niños
- List of Indian Shaker Church buildings in Washington
