The tendency to turn human judgments into divine commands makes religion one of the most dangerous forces in the world.

Her theological interests centered around the influence of the ecumenical church eschatology applied theological thought and a desire for all persons to understand the Christian faith. Born in Harkness New York a town named after her grandfather Harkness has been described as one of the first significant American female theologians and was important in the movement to gain ordination for women in American Methodism. She made clear a distaste for the doctrine of original sin saying that "the sooner it disappears the better it is for theology.

Harkness had an affinity for ministry through poetry and the arts. ". Born in Harkness New York a town named after her grandfather Harkness has been described as one of the first significant American female theologians and was important in the movement to gain ordination for women in American Methodism.