Type | Religious movement |
Legacy | Influential in modern society |
Decline | Mid to late 20th century |
Founded | 1850 New York, United States |
Founder | |
Peak era | Early 20th century |
Known for | Self-sufficiency • Communal living • Pacifism |
Global impact | Significant |
Related movements |
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.