Mark W. Harris > Quotes

“Throughout the United States sermon contests were held on the subject of better breeding.”
― Mark W. Harris, Elite: Uncovering Classism in Unitarian Universalist History

“Americans prided themselves on their original stock. They promoted unity of the spirit by insisting that their center of gravity lay in their Anglo-Saxon and Puritan heritage.”
― Mark W. Harris, Elite: Uncovering Classism in Unitarian Universalist History

“In the early twentieth century, progressives, including a number of Unitarians, were very enthusiastic about eugenics. Kenneth MacArthur of the Federated Church in Sterling, Massachusetts, argued that decent Christians have a responsibility to use “every help which science affords” to prevent the “feeble-minded and wrong-willed from pouring their corrupt currents into the race”
― Mark W. Harris, Elite: Uncovering Classism in Unitarian Universalist History

“They advocated for a more evangelical, popular faith that would appeal to thinking, working class folk and have domestic missions in poorer neighborhoods of industrial cities. Beard became involved in the education of the working class and advocated for greater opportunities for all ranks and ages. He wished for all to gain economic power. The board established missions in several”
― Mark W. Harris, Elite: Uncovering Classism in Unitarian Universalist History

“From the earliest days of Unitarianism and Universalism, these traditions have advocated for the compatibility of science and religion. Both traditions encourage the use of reason, the search for truth, and the improvement of human nature and society through learning and the discoveries of science. Some, especially those called humanists, eschew Biblical revelation and supernaturalism and believe that science and technology will eventually solve all the major problems facing humankind.”
― Mark W. Harris, Elite: Uncovering Classism in Unitarian Universalist History