Discussion # 7

The Second Great Awakening had a major effect on antebellum American thought and culture. It
concentrated on a more emotional form of religion, whereas transcendentalism promoted both
individualized unity and religious ties. The church attendance and the Mormon movement shaped
people's religious and cultural ideas. Preaching about God and souls in churches was therefore
prioritized in order to convey the idea associated with religious education. Transcendentalism aimed to
bring man, the rest of creation, and God together. People began to link their liberty and spiritual identity
as a result. The second great awakening focused on an emotional approach to religion in which sinners
struggled with their unworthiness before coming to the realization that they had been born again. The
importance of individual salvation was stressed. As a result of church attendance, the religious culture
transformed. These concepts were preached by missionaries and circuit riders as they passed through
cities. Additionally, the church promoted slavery and granted slaves and masters roles. Both the idea of
religious education for children and American modes of worship were implemented. American culture
was criticized by transcendentalism. It put an emphasis on individualism in opposition to uniformity,
romanticism, and nature. It was a huge notion to achieve unity via individualism.