Father James Whittaker was the one who continued the organization of the religious group (Sammlung, 2001).
The Shakers were trying to create Heaven on Earth by practicing three basic principles of their faith: purity, community, and separation. Purity meant that they did not believe in marriage or physical relations with the opposite sex. It also meant being as free as possible from all types of sin. Community meant sharing. They lived together in villages, shared everything, and worked together to provide for everyone. Separation meant isolating themselves from everything that was not Shaker, usually called the world, to keep themselves away from the influences of the society. The separation also meant keeping women and men apart from one another, so they would not be tempted by sin of the flesh (Bolick & Randolph, 1990). This belief came from Mother Ann who, from her experience by having troubles with her husband and death of their children became increasingly opposed to male-female relations They shared buildings with separate doorways, the tables in the kitchen were arranged in groups where on one side would sit the women and on the other, the men (Sammlung, 2001). Since their religious belief did not allow them to have children they were adopting them from the world" when mothers and fathers could no longer take care of them (Shea, 1971). For the Shakers, Sunday was the day where they could put their work aside and enjoy the whole day. It was the day of worship services and private meditations (Sprigg & Larkin, 1987). Every Sunday they gathered together in the meetinghouse where they held their worship services. The meetinghouses were simple. There was no altar. No minister. No statues. Walls were white and blue tying to signify Heaven. The members sit on plain Shaker benches, men facing women (Wolkomir, 2001). One of the interactions between men and women was at he meetinghouse, but still with strict separation of gender in their dancing as part of their worship, which also included singing, shaking, and whirling (Bowman, 1995).
