America became a special source of attraction to people who were fleeing the aftereffects of the 30 Years War and the religious persecution that began to sweep through Europe in the period between the Renaissance and the Enlightenment. And when people got here, very often they succeeded.

Even back in its colonial days, America developed a reputation as a safe harbor for people with unusual or radical religious beliefs.

People need doorways to explore universal religious and ethical ideas.

Women had no clerical role anywhere in the Western world, period.

I think therapeutic spirituality has largely been a help in the modern world. So the fact that people can approach religion with practical needs.

When spiritualism dawned, suddenly women who wanted to engage in the civic and religious and political culture were becoming transmediums.

America became a special source of attraction to people who were fleeing the aftereffects of the 30 Years War and the religious persecution that began to sweep through Europe in the period between the Renaissance and the Enlightenment. And when people got here, very often they succeeded.