User:Marcplummer82/International Peace Mission movement

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The International Peace Mission movement is a religious movement started by Father Divine, a religious leader who claimed to be God. Its heyday was in the Great Depression of the 1930s.

The movement began in New York City. In 1942 the headquarters were relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the last few decades, enrollment has dwindled; as of 2015 there were a total of 19 members remaining, all of whom live together on the Woodmont estate near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[citation needed] There are others who attend the Mission's special events such as feasts and banquets, although they are not considered full-time church members.

Edit: The International Peace Mission movement is a religious movement that was founded and led by Father Divine. Father Divine was worshipped by his followers as a God. Thus, the core belief of the International Peace Mission Movement is that everyone is treated equal in the eyes of God. Father Divine preached against sexism and racism. He was most renown during and following the Great Depression in the 1930s. Thus, the International Peace Mission movement is now known to be an important precursor of the Civil Rights Movement. Furthermore, the International Peace Mission movement really emphasized upon the reflection of opposition to violence and war. Also the movement has a very strong focus on spiritual development through meditation and prayer.

Edit: The International Peace Mission movement is built on the principles of Christianity, democracy, Americanism, brotherhood, and Judaism with understanding that all religions teach the same basic truths. Members of the movement are taught not to discriminate race, color, or religion. The movement first started in Brooklyn, New York and then in Seville, New York. Moving forward in 1942, the headquarters were relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During World War II, Father Divine organized rallies and prayer for his peace movement to oppose war. Today, the International Peace Mission movement still focuses on promoting the message of equality, peace, and social justice. *add the citation at the end that's missing*

Beginnings
Father Divine The Peace Mission grew out of the ministry of George Baker Jr ("Father Divine"). In 1906, Father Divine became acquainted with the ideas of Charles Fillmore and the New Thought Movement, a philosophy of positive thinking that would inform his later doctrines.

George Baker Jr attended a local store front Baptist Church, often preaching and teaching in the church's Sunday school, until 1907, when he became a follower of Samuel Morris, a.k.a. "Father Jehovia". In Georgia, Father Divine got into conflicts with local ministers and was sentenced to 60 days on a chain gang. Upon his release, he attracted a following of mostly black women in Valdosta, Georgia. Several followers' husbands and local preachers had him arrested for lunacy and he was incarcerated in an insane asylum. He was later released and pronounced mentally sound in spite of his "maniacal" beliefs, and admonished to leave the state.

Edit: In the "beginnings" section I already made an edit of putting the first photo and it was a picture of Father Divine.

Edit: George Baker Jr attended a local store front Baptist Church, often preaching and teaching in the church's Sunday school, until 1907, when he became Samuel Morris's (Father Jehovia), first follower. Thus, George Baker Jr known to be "the Messenger". In 1912, Father Divine disagreed that Father Jehovia was God and anyone could be God. As result, Father Divine parted ways and declared himself a God. Father Divine traveled down South to Georgia to preach and got into conflicts with local ministers and was sentenced to 60 days on a chain gang. Upon his release, he attracted a following of mostly black women in Valdosta, Georgia. On February 6, 1914, several followers' husbands and local preachers had him arrested for lunacy and Divine was incarcerated in an insane asylum. Father Divine was later released and pronounced mentally sound in spite of his "maniacal" beliefs, and admonished to leave the state.

1914–1932: The Proto-Peace Mission Movement
In 1914, Father Divine traveled to Brooklyn, New York, with some followers and an all-black congregation. In 1919, he and his followers moved the commune to Sayville, New York.[citation needed] In this period, his movement underwent sustained growth, as he ran the entire movement from his house commune. Father Divine held free weekly banquets and helped newcomers find jobs. He began attracting many white followers as well as black in the late 1920s. In the early 1930s, his neighbors brought charges of disturbing the peace against Father Divine and, along with numerous followers, he was arrested on May 8, 1931.

Edit: In 1914, Father Divine traveled to Brooklyn, New York, with a moderate amount of followers and an all-black congregation. In 1919, he and his followers moved the commune to Sayville, New York, on Long Island (added citation of Harlem World Magazine). Father Divine and his followers were the first black homeowners in town. In this period, his movement underwent sustained growth, as he ran the entire movement from his communal house. Father Divine held free weekly banquets and helped newcomers find jobs. He began attracting many white followers as well as black in the late 1920s. On May 8, 1931, Father Divine and his followers was arrested and charged with disturbing the peace that was brought by his neighbors.

By May 1932, Peace Mission meetings were regularly held at the Rockland and throughout New York and New Jersey. Father Divine had supporters in Washington state, California and throughout the world. In this period of expansions, several Peace Mission branch communes were opened in New York and New Jersey. It was during this time that Father Divine's followers finally named the movement: "the International Peace Mission movement".

Edit: In May 1932, Peace Mission meetings were regularly held at the Rockland and throughout New York and New Jersey. Father Divine had many supporters in throughout the world, more specifically Washington State and California. During this period of expansions, several Peace Mission branch communes were opened in New York and New Jersey. In this period of time, Father Divine's followers finally named the movement: "the International Peace Mission movement".

Father Divine moved to Harlem, New York, where he had accumulated significant following in the black community. Thus, Father Divine established a headquarters in Harlem, New York. Members, rather than Father Divine himself, held most deeds for the movement, but they contributed toward Father Divine's comfortable lifestyle. Purchasing several hotels, members could live and seek jobs inexpensively. The Peace Mission movement also opened several budget enterprises, including restaurants and clothing shops.

Edit: Father Divine moved to Harlem, New York, and accumulated a significant following in the black community. Furthermore, Father Divine established a headquarters in Harlem, New York. The members of the movement held most deeds but they contributed toward Father Divine's comfortable lifestyle. As a result, purchasing several hotels, members could live and seek jobs inexpensively. Also, the Peace Mission movement opened several budget enterprises, such as restaurants and clothing shops.

1930s: International expansion and alliance with the Communist Party USA
By 1934, Peace Mission branches had opened in Los Angeles, California, and Seattle, Washington, and Peace Mission sponsored gatherings occurred in France, Switzerland, Canada, and Australia. Father Divine was increasingly called upon to offer political endorsements.

Edit: In 1934, Peace Mission branches had opened in Los Angeles, California, and Seattle, Washington. The gatherings occurred in France, Switzerland, Canada, and Australia. Although, the membership totals were overstated in the press. Thus, Father Divine was called upon to offer political endorsements.

An alliance between the Peace Mission movement and the Communist Party USA began in early 1934. The Peace Mission Movement practiced a form of communal socialism in which profits from individual Peace Mission businesses were redistributed within the movement. Father Divine was impressed with the Communist Party's commitment to civil rights and an alliance was formed.

Edit: In early 1934, an alliance between Father Divine and the Communist Party USA began. The Peace Mission Movement practiced a form of communal socialism which profits from individual Peace Mission businesses were redistributed within the movement. Father Divine became impressed with the Communist Party's commitment to civil rights and resulted in an alliance being formed.

Auxiliaries

Edit: An auxiliary are specific groups of people who are willing to support and help the International Peace Mission Movement.