Helen Keller's spiritual perspective was influenced by the writings of Emmanuel Swedenborg, she was also influenced by the social and religious movements of her time:
In drawing inspiration for
her politics from elements of Christianity, Keller was far from alone within
the socialist movement of that time. Eugene Debs, for instance, also often
interspersed religious allusions in his writings and campaign speeches. He
equated the “great moral worth” of socialist ideals to the “early days of Christianity,”
and argued that under the classless society that socialism would introduce,
“Human Brotherhood, as taught by Christ nineteen centuries ago, will for the
first time begin to be realized.”
See also After the Miracle, the Political Crusades of Helen Keller (2023) by Max Wallace, draws on groundbreaking research to reframe Helen Keller's
journey after the miracle at the water pump, vividly bringing to light
her rarely discussed, lifelong fight for social justice across gender,
class, race, and ability.
Bishop Brooks taught me no
special creed or dogma; but he impressed upon my mind two great ideas — the
fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, and made me feel that these
truths underlie all creeds and forms of worship. God is love, God is our
father, we are His children; therefore the darkest clouds will break, and
though right be worsted, wrong shall not triumph. I am too happy in this world
to think much about the future except to remember that I have cherished friends
awaiting me there in God’s beautiful Somewhere. In spite of the lapse of years,
they seem so close to me that I should not think it strange if at any moment
they should clasp my hand and speak words of endearment as they used to before
they went away. Since Bishop Brooks died I have read the Bible through; also
some philosophical works on religion, among them Swedenborg’s “Heaven and Hell”
and Drummond’s “Ascent of Man,” and I have found no creed or system more
soul-satisfying than Bishop Brooks’s creed of love. I knew Mr. Henry Drummond,
too, and the memory of his strong, warm hand-clasp is like a benediction. He
was the most charming and delightful of companions. He knew so much, he had
conquered so much, he had seen life from so many sides that it was impossible
to feel dull or despairing in his presence.
“In the story of my life here presented to the
readers of The Ladies’ Home Journal, I have tried to show that
afflictions may be looked at in such a way that they become privileges.” Cambridge,
1902
The idea of brotherhood redawns
upon the world with a broader significance than the narrow association of
members in a sect or creed, and thinkers of great soul like Lessing challenge
the world to say which is more godlike, the hatred and tooth-and-nail grapple
of conflicting religions, or sweet accord and mutual helpfulness. Ancient prejudice
of man against his brother-man wavers and retreats before the radiance of a
more generous sentiment, which will not sacrifice men to forms, or rob them of
the comfort and strength they find in their own beliefs. The heresy of one age
becomes the orthodoxy of the next. Mere tolerance has given place to a
sentiment of brotherhood between sincere men of all denominations. The optimist
rejoices in the affectionate sympathy between Catholic heart and Protestant
heart which finds a gratifying expression in the universal respect and warm
admiration for Leo XIII on the part of good men the world over. The centenary
celebrations of the births of Emerson and Charming are beautiful examples of
the tribute which men of all creeds pay to the memory of a pure soul.
Optimism: An Essay 1903
Surely the things that the
workers demand are not unreasonable. It cannot be unreasonable to ask of
society a fair chance for all. It cannot be unreasonable to demand the
protection of women and little children and an honest wage for all who give
their time and energy to industrial occupations. When indeed shall we learn
that we are all related one to the other, that we are all members of one body?
Until the spirit of love for our fellowmen, regardless of race, colour or creed,
shall fill the world, making real in our lives and our deeds the actuality of
human brotherhood -- until the great mass of the people shall be filled with
the sense of responsibility for each other's welfare, social justice can never
be attained.
The Worker's
Right Out Of The Dark, 1920 *A letter written to the strikers at Little Falls, N.
Y., November, 1912.
We shall not see the end of capitalism and the triumph of democracy until men and women work together in the solving of their political, social, and economic problems. I realize that the vote is only one of many weapons in our fight for the freedom of all. But every means is precious and, equipped with the vote, men and women together will hasten the day when the age-long dream of liberty, equality, and brotherhood shall be realized upon earth.
“Why Men Need Woman Suffrage,” which was originally published in the Socialist Party newspaper, New York Call, on October 17, 1913. The version of the text that appears here is from the 1967 International Publishers book,
Helen Keller: Her Socialist Years.
https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/the-woman-peril-is-at-the-door/
When
we inquire why things are as they are, the answer is: The foundation of society is laid upon
a basis of individualism, conquest, and exploitation, with a total disregard of
the good of the whole.
The
structure of a society built upon such wrong basic principles is bound to
retard the development of all men, even the most successful ones, because it
tends to divert man’s energies into useless channels and to degrade his
character. . . .
This unmoral state of society will continue as long as we live under a system of universal competition for the means of existence. . . . It must, therefore, be changed, it must be destroyed, and a better, saner, kinder social order established. Competition must give place to co-operation, and class antagonism to brotherhood.
Helen Keller, “Blind
Leaders,” Outlook for the Blind 105 (September 27, 1913) in Nielsen, Helen
Keller: Selected Writings, 63–64.
I
look upon the world as my Fatherland, and every war has for me the horror of a
family feud. I hold true patriotism to be the brotherhood and mutual service of
all men. The preparedness I believe in is right thinking, efficiency,
knowledge, and courage to follow the highest ideals. When true history replaces
the lies and false teachings of the schools, the true call to patriotism will
be a call to brotherhood, and not a call to arms.
Helen Keller Finds Defense Plans Bad December
20, 1915 The New York Times
The Spirit of Lenin Midstream: My
Later Life, 1929
Helen Keller: Her Socialist Years (International Publishers, 1967)
More on universal brother/sisterhood
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