Wartime San Francisco’s Pragmatic Religious Institution

Abstract

Chapter 3 focuses closely on the ways in which Thurman’s inherent pragmatism—specifically his social activism centered on pluralism and mysticism—was represented within the Fellowship Church. It explores the years of Thurman’s direction between 1944 and 1953, as he is overwhelmingly accepted to be the primary leader of the institution and the groundwork he set during his tenure continues to frame its spiritual and philosophical character today. Chapter 3 traces the early years of the Fellowship Church during the tumultuous yet promising World War II era and explores its experimentation with affirmation mysticism. Examining both the pluralistic make-up of the congregation and the means by which Thurman tried to elicit moments of heightened consciousness, the chapter highlights and evaluates the ways in which the institution aimed to incite social activism through spiritual pursuit.