Bedwardism
Encyclopedia
Bedwardism, more properly the Jamaica Native Baptist Free Church, was a religious movement of Jamaica
. It was founded in Augustown, Saint Andrew Parish
in 1889 by Harrison "Shakespeare" Woods, an African-American emigrant to Jamaica, and named for Alexander Bedward
(1859–1930), who was referred to as "That Prophet" and "Shepherd." It was one of the most popular Afro-Jamaican politico-religious movements from the 1890s to the 1920s. Bedwardism attracted tens of thousands of followers with a call for social justice
, as well as socioeconomic programs for the lower classes.
Bedwardian literature describes Bedwardism as a new religion, the successor to Christianity and Judaism. However, its actual teachings differ little from those of most Christian denominations, stressing the importance of recognizing Jesus Christ as both God and man in part of the Trinity
, as well as frequent fasting. Even so, because the movement likened the ruling classes to the Pharisees
, it met with disapproval and even suppression by them. One of the few unique concepts of Bedwardism is the belief that Augustown, Jamaica corresponds to Jerusalem for the Western world.
. Bedward himself claimed at times to be the reincarnation of prophets including Moses
, Jonah
and John the Baptist
, and was ruled insane by courts on two occasions. The movement lost steam in 1921 after Bedward and hundreds of his followers marched into Kingston, where he failed to deliver on his claim to ascend into Heaven, and many were arrested.
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
. It was founded in Augustown, Saint Andrew Parish
Saint Andrew Parish
Saint Andrew Parish may refer to:*Saint Andrew, Barbados *Saint Andrew Parish, Dominica*Saint Andrew Parish, Grenada*Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica*Saint Andrew Parish, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines*Saint Andrew Parish, Tobago in Tobago...
in 1889 by Harrison "Shakespeare" Woods, an African-American emigrant to Jamaica, and named for Alexander Bedward
Alexander Bedward
Alexander Bedward was the founder of Bedwardism. He was one of the most successful preachers of Jamaican Revivalism.-Life:...
(1859–1930), who was referred to as "That Prophet" and "Shepherd." It was one of the most popular Afro-Jamaican politico-religious movements from the 1890s to the 1920s. Bedwardism attracted tens of thousands of followers with a call for social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
, as well as socioeconomic programs for the lower classes.
Bedwardian literature describes Bedwardism as a new religion, the successor to Christianity and Judaism. However, its actual teachings differ little from those of most Christian denominations, stressing the importance of recognizing Jesus Christ as both God and man in part of the Trinity
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
, as well as frequent fasting. Even so, because the movement likened the ruling classes to the Pharisees
Pharisees
The Pharisees were at various times a political party, a social movement, and a school of thought among Jews during the Second Temple period beginning under the Hasmonean dynasty in the wake of...
, it met with disapproval and even suppression by them. One of the few unique concepts of Bedwardism is the belief that Augustown, Jamaica corresponds to Jerusalem for the Western world.
. Bedward himself claimed at times to be the reincarnation of prophets including Moses
Moses
Moses was, according to the Hebrew Bible and Qur'an, a religious leader, lawgiver and prophet, to whom the authorship of the Torah is traditionally attributed...
, Jonah
Jonah
Jonah is the name given in the Hebrew Bible to a prophet of the northern kingdom of Israel in about the 8th century BC, the eponymous central character in the Book of Jonah, famous for being swallowed by a fish or a whale, depending on translation...
and John the Baptist
John the Baptist
John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
, and was ruled insane by courts on two occasions. The movement lost steam in 1921 after Bedward and hundreds of his followers marched into Kingston, where he failed to deliver on his claim to ascend into Heaven, and many were arrested.