Essay On Early American Religion

1566 Words7 Pages

America has always been a religious nation, founded by puritans and protestants. That statement is as true as it was centuries ago as it is today. The majority of the American people identify or are members of one religion of their choosing. Often referred to as a “melting pot”, the United States of America boasts a diverse culture, and with that comes religions from all over the world. Religion plays an important role in American society, as it serves to inform the worldview of many. It promotes good will, and a sense of community. Religious leaders in the nation now broadcast their messages on a nationwide scale utilizing modern technologies like television or the internet. Religion is one of many facets of American life, and it is of such importance to Americans that it influences nearly everything we do. From our politics, to our own individual choices, there is not one action that we have taken is devoid of any religious influence. In this paper, we will take a look at America in its infancy and observe the history of religion in early America. …show more content…

These colonists consisted mostly of protestant christians, but despite that similarity, they were divided up by different branches of it. From the puritans to the anglicans, different colonies held different beliefs. In fact, most colonies attempted to establish official churches and make law in accordance with their faith. As time went on in the colonies, more offshoots of Protestantism arose in the form of the Quakers and unitarians, and the baptists and methodists. In places where one singular faith was dominant, other religious practices were discouraged. Those who were anything but what was normal in certain colonies were oftentimes deemed as troublemakers disrupting social order, according to the website Facing History and