How Do You Spell JOHN HUMPHREY NOYES?

John Humphrey Noyes (1811-1886) was an American religious leader and founder of the Oneida Community, a controversial utopian society that existed from 1848 to 1881. He is known for his radical religious and social beliefs, particularly the practice of communal living and complex marriage.

Noyes grew up in a devout Christian family and became an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church. However, he rejected traditional Christian doctrines and embraced a concept known as "Perfectionism." According to this belief, individuals could achieve moral perfection and live without sin in this life. Noyes proclaimed himself to be "Advocate of Jesus Christ" and preached the idea of "Bible Communism."

In 1848, Noyes established the Oneida Community in upstate New York, which quickly garnered attention due to its unconventional practices. The community aimed to create a society based on mutual cooperation, shared property, and the elimination of sexual jealousy through complex marriage. Complex marriage involved the abolition of traditional monogamy, and instead, all members were considered married to one another. This arrangement sought to foster a sense of community and equality, promoting the idea that love and sexuality were communal bonds rather than confined to a single relationship.

Noyes emphasized the importance of controlling human passions and promoting spiritual growth. To this end, he introduced a system of "mutual criticism" among community members, which involved openly discussing each other's flaws and holding a collective judgment. Additionally, the community practiced eugenics and advocated for "stirpiculture" by carefully planning and monitoring breeding among its members to produce offspring with favorable qualities.

Despite garnering attention and controversy for its unique practices, the Oneida Community disbanded in 1881 when Noyes fled to Canada after