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Helli

Helli
Type

Religious movement

Legacy

Influential in modern society

Decline

Mid to late 20th century

Founded

1850 New York, United States

Founder

John Smith

Peak era

Early 20th century

Known for

Self-sufficiency • Communal living • Pacifism

Global impact

Significant

Related movements

The ShakersAmana Colonies

Helli

Helli was a religious movement and philosophy founded in the mid-19th century by Miriam Helli. Helli's teachings emphasized pacifism, nature, and self-sufficiency, and attracted followers who sought an alternative spiritual path that blended religious beliefs with secular ethics, ecology, and community values.

Origin and key beliefs

Miriam Helli was born in 1842 in France and studied various religious traditions before founding the Helli movement in 1870. Helli's teachings were predominantly deist and pantheist, emphasizing a divine presence in nature and the interconnectedness of all living things. Unlike many organized religions, Helli maintained that the nature and form of the divine were unknowable, and its adherents often embraced aspects of agnosticism, humanism, and spiritualism.

Helli's central beliefs included:

  • Pacifism and non-violence
  • The sacredness of nature and the need for environmental conservation
  • Self-sufficiency, communal living, and mutual aid
  • The importance of intellectual freedom, scientific inquiry, and secular education
  • Spiritual growth through contemplation, meditation, and artistic expression

Spread of the movement

Helli found traction among intellectuals, artists, and people seeking alternatives to traditional religious institutions in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. By the early 20th century, it had spread globally, with thousands of followers forming independent Helli communities.

Helli communities were self-sustaining communes that prioritized communal living, educational and cultural opportunities, and eco-friendly practices. Some were rural and large, while others were smaller urban cooperatives.

Impact on society, culture, and politics

Helli had a profound impact on society, culture, and politics. Its emphasis on self-sufficiency and pacifism helped to inspire various social and political reform movements, including environmentalism, educational reform, feminism, and peace activism.

Several notable Helli communities became famous for their influence on art, literature, and science, such as the New Harmony Commune in Indiana, Brno Commune in Czechia, and Brook Farm Commune in Massachusetts.

Decline and legacy of Helli

Helli reached its peak of popularity during the early 20th century, but its influence began to wane after World War II as members declined, and many communities disbanded due to financial challenges, ideological disputes, and changing societal norms.

Despite its decline, the legacy of Helli endures through the continued influence of its concepts on contemporary movements such as environmental activism, communal living, and non-violent resistance. In some regions, such as Scandinavia and New England, Helli continues to be practiced and inspire new generations of communal living and sustainable living practices.