Oahspe: A New Bible - Faithism

Faithism

Soon after its publication, a number of groups formed in response to Oahspe. In New York City, the Oahspe Faithists were organized; The New York Times reported in 1883 of secret initiations and sermons being held in Utah Hall (25th Street and 8th Avenue). A first colony based on the book's principles was founded in 1882 in Woodside Township, New Jersey, but it folded quickly, as did another in New York State.

Of the colonies founded on the basis of Oahspe, the most notable was the Shalam Colony in Las Cruces, New Mexico, in 1884, of which John Newbrough was a founding member. According to The New York Times, Faithists had also tried to buy up land in Virginia and West Virginia, and were regarded by Southerners with great suspicion. The purported colonies were places where foundlings and orphans were to be brought up communally, to "give them better opportunities for marital selection." While the movement originated in New York, they had only a small following there, and according to The New York Times, "They have given no intelligible idea of what they want or seek to accomplish."

One such group today is the Universal Faithists of Kosmon (Colorado and California), whose teachings include the virtue of unified group efforts to achieve good works. This group also publishes an 1891 Oahspe edition in paperback format.

In the United States of America other existing Faithist organizations include:

• the Restoration Faithists (of the New York area).
• The Eloists (headquartered in the New England region).

Outside of the United States:

• The Kosmon Church, in the United Kingdom.
• The Oahspe Stichting, in the Netherlands.

Past Faithist organizations include:

• the Universal Brotherhood of Faithists in Tiger, Georgia;
• the Essenes of Kosmon (who lived in communities in Colorado around the 1940s and 1950s);
• The Confraternity of Faithists and Kosmon Church in the U.K.