Religion
Most of the old money elite were Episcopalian, and as individuals became wealthy from the Industrial Revolution, they often converted to the Episcopal Church. Episcopalian churches had a British feel (befitting that sect's descent from the Church of England), and were very ritualistic. Some of the old money elite were Unitarian or Quaker, and only a few were Catholic. New York City tended to be more open about religion than cities like Boston.
Read more about this topic: Victorian America
Famous quotes containing the word religion:
“If ... we admit a divinity, why not divine worship? and if worship, why not religion to teach this worship? and if a religion, why not the Christian, if a better cannot be assigned, and it be already established by the laws of our country, and handed down to us from our forefathers?”
—George Berkeley (1685–1753)
“Both Socrates and Jesus were outstanding teachers; both of them urged and practiced great simplicity of life; both were regarded as traitors to the religion of their community; neither of them wrote anything; both of them were executed; and both have become the subject of traditions that are difficult or impossible to harmonize.”
—Jaroslav Pelikan (b. 1932)
“‘Tis probable Religion after this
Came next in order; which they could not miss.
How could the Dutch but be converted, when
The Apostles were so many fishermen?
Besides the waters of themselves did rise,
And, as their land, so them did re-baptize.”
—Andrew Marvell (1621–1678)