Question

Why didn't formal churches benefit from the revivals of the great awakening?

Answer 1

Formal churches did not benefit from the Great Awakening because the movement prioritized personal, emotional religious experiences over structured hierarchy, thus favouring evangelical denominations like the Methodist and Baptist churches with their inclusive message of salvation and spiritual equality.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Great Awakening was a series of religious revivals in the American colonies that emphasized personal religious experiences and a more democratic Christianity which appealed to ordinary people. Traditional formal churches often did not benefit from these revivals, primarily because the revivals were rooted in emotional experiences and personal salvation that were at odds with the more structured and hierarchical nature of formal churches. Instead, evangelical movements like the Methodist and Baptist churches, which promoted conversion through personal experience and living a righteous life without the necessity for rigorous education, flourished. The egalitarian message attracted many, including women and African Americans, who were empowered by the notion of spiritual equality. Large religious revivals fostered intense emotional engagement from participants, and the success of evangelical denominations was also driven by missionaries who advanced an American Christian movement that was appealing to the ordinary and marginalized individuals in society.

Answer 2

Formal churches did not benefit from revivals of the great awakening hence this was very divisive period because many people were influenced by the revivals while the others were still committed the traditional form of religion. By this people were divided into two different religious groups; the New Lights and the Old Lights. Most people during this divisive period of time allowed true religious freedom to all people.