Oneida and Whitman.

The Oneida Community was a relgious movement which belived that Jesus had already returned in the year 70 and that heaven could be expierenced on earth. A communist group, they shared everything including responsiblities and work which allowed them to have thriving business in silk, leather fronds and silverware. The practiced a form of polygamy which allowed them to have various closed marriages.(to avoid sti) They also practiced a form of eugenics in an attempt to breed perfection children.

It could be said that the Oneida community practiced a nearly perfected for of communism since all resources and responsibilites were shared evenly and the open criticism was practiced and appreciated by all especially Noyes who was subject to criticism as well. The community fragmented when Noyes attempted to transfer power to Theodre Noyes. (Grandson?) Who was agnostic and not a thourough follower in the community and when Noyes fled to avoid charges of statutory rape. This move convinced him to suggest traditional marriages within the community which had already become a growing movement.

Whitman used to be a nieghbor of Noyes when Noyes fled his circle for a brief period at the hieght of his messianic leadership.

It could be understood why Whitman would acknowledge and even appreciate the Oneida movement as it promoted a higher sense of living and a formal criticism of self while sharing resources and responsivilities. No one was greater then the other and most importantly, the community helped one another in terms of a raising children and caring for family. The oneida community was also open to mixed sexuallity within their closed marriages which might have been a first for any religious groups.