Marianne Williamson's Unorthodox Campaign

Marianne Williamson says we are all of one mind. The bestselling author of self-help books, disciple of "A Course in Miracles," and spiritual-teacher-turned-2020-presidential-candidate preaches that every person in the world is God and that we are all connected by a single soul residing across billions of bodies. With this unapologetically New Age mindset and air of mystery, she is often mistaken for a joke, but her novel approach within the scope of American religious and political history should be taken seriously. In running for president, Williamson is attempting to start a feminized spiritual revolution—or, evolution—as her campaign slogan says. Her message is aimed directly at the growing category of "spiritual but not religious" voters—currently over 25% of the population. As a historian of American religion, I argue that Williamson's flavor of feminism and spiritually-driven political strategy make her a groundbreaking political figure in a long American tradition of alternative spirituality—and one diametrically opposed to President Donald Trump.