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The influence of Religion on Colonial America
The influence of Religion on Colonial America
Development of religion in America
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A comparison that I can make with this reading is from Richard Godbeer, The Devil’s Dominion: Magic and Religion in Early New England, which illustrates magical beliefs and practices that the colonists brought with them from England. Puritan preachers condemned magic as ungodly and diabolical. Magic and occultism was rejected by the preachers of New England and so they were shocked to learn that colonists used magic themselves. New Englanders used magic to manipulate time and space, clairvoyance, and travel
In Under the Cope of Heaven by Patricia Bonomi, she depicts many of the hardships that the new colonies continue to face throughout their settlement. She discussed the religious, political and societal turmoil that all the colonies struggle with, each in separate ways depending on religious affiliation, geographical location, and population demographics. She argues that religion played a very important role not only in the colonist everyday life, but also in the government and economy that is established. She states that the preaching in churches from ministers and other preachers of power was key in molding the public opinion on political standpoints, leading to a great impact on society. She touches on social religion, people using religion
The Middle and New England colonies have very similar social beliefs compared to the South. The South colonies have indentured servants and slaves. The New England and Middle colonies didn’t believe in inequality. Then there is the religious toleration. Although the New England colonies and Middle colonies have the same social beliefs, they do not tolerate those who have a different faith other than the Puritan lifestyle.
Regardless of a colony’s religious situation, whether they allowed complete freedom of worship or were occupied by strict religious laws, all thirteen colonies were affected by a movement called the Great Awakening. Generally, the Great Awakening is characterized by a fervent revival in religion practice. Although, this movement had a major impact on most aspects of colonial life, it is important to note the effect it had on religion and how that in turn affected the political life of the colonist. Because of The Great Awakening, many ministers lost authority the authority they held over because more people were taking to studying the Bible in their own homes. This idea would have larger implications for the future.
In the essay, “...The Roots of Evangelical Christianity in Colonial America”, Thomas Kidd, a professor of history and a co director, argues that there was a Great Awakening in mid- eighteenth century America because George Whitefield encouraged numerous revivals all over the colonies and also influenced the creation of spirit of evangelicalism there too. Kidd supports this claim by first discussing that George Whitefield encouraged thousands of people from the Americas to follow his ideas. Whitefield went on tours all around the colonies to spread his thoughts about religion and often drew crowds ranging from a few thousand to twenty thousand at each event. The author explains that the religious revivals Whitefield encouraged featured all
Christian faith and belief permeated domestic life, and Puritans “invested family life with religious values. ”10 The church had become not only a center of worship, but also of identity and of culture. Communal life was played out centered in the church, and the “village church [was ] both the locus of religious activity and the focal point of the culture, the institution through which communal ideas and values achieved their fullest expression”11 Identifying with the Christian faith enabled the community to come together and become a society and then to become a state. Christianity had become a way of life and way of identification with the New World that was now predominantly Christian, and as stated earlier, the federal government does not determine the will of the people, but rather it is the local government that is the true voice of the
In July of 1620 a ship carrying hundreds of puritan pilgrims set sail from England to where these fugitives believed was their Promised Land, The Americas; Another voyage similarly left Africa in approximately 1756 heading to the lands of America but for a very different purpose. Although, this ship was carrying likewise hundreds of people, or what was considered property at the time, overseas it brought these peoples to a land and life very opposite of what the Puritans were seeking. Puritans and Slaves may be very different people in general, but their reasons for their voyages, the conditions of their ships, and the characteristics a passenger would need to survive these arduous journeys oversea are easily compared and contrasted. In the 1600’s religious persecution faced anyone who did not identify with the Church of England, a christian church implemented throughout the
Colonial America laid the foundation for the complicated country we call the United States. Historians debate many questions about that critical time period before the thirteen colonies declared and won independence from Great Britain. One of the most interesting questions is: What was the most significant major event preceding the founding of the nation? There is no ‘correct’ answer to this question. There are many possible responses, but the facts show that some arguments are stronger than others.
Religion had a role in every part of the region whether it be big or small. Another time when religion had impacted a colony or country was when Henry VIII had impacted Europe by creating an unstable connection between the church. He cut his connection with the church in order to divorce his wife Catherine. Now at this point in time whoever was the ruler of England would be able to change the main religion. This caused rebellions between religions on which is more important and which should be the main religion of England.
Freedom to Prosecute Religion Colonial America is often thought of as a safe haven from religious persecution. Future colonists had been persecuted for not accepting their countries ' religious doctrine and were willing to travel long distances in search of religious freedom. Religious freedom would still be far from grasp as Puritans would continue their homelands traditions of persecution for many more years. Puritans, unlike the Pilgrims (who sought to completely separate from the Church of England), wanted to purify the Church.
Religion in the Southern colonies wasn’t as big of a deal like it was in the Middle, and Northern colonies. The main religion in the south was, Anglican. The economy in the south was like no other. The South has warm weather and a good amount of rainfall. The two main crops included: tobacco and rice.
Throughout history, religion has played an important role in the lives of the English settlers; many people believed in different religions, and this has caused problems within the New World colonies. Religion was strictly enforced, and punished according to your beliefs. When the English settlers decided to set sail to find refuge from the religious restriction, they were hopeful for a new life. People did not want to stay somewhere where they did not believe in the religion that was practiced, for it was punishable by death.
The story of Huckleberry Finn shows the different social classes and religious beliefs that occurs during the 1830s-1840s. The story takes place when whites have created their own idea of social class which means the more money and education the high up on the social charts families were. For example, Widow Douglas and Miss Watson were both taught proper grammar and religious beliefs because the women grew up in an upper-class family. On the other hand, Huck grew up with an abusive drunk father who did not care about anything but alcohol and money. Huck’s education level is shown through the book by the way he talks.
More than 80% of Americans have Puritan ancestors who emigrated to Colonial America on the Mayflower, and other ships, in the 1630’s (“Puritanism”). Puritanism had an early start due to strong main beliefs that, when challenged, caused major conflict like the Salem Witch Trials. Puritanism had an extremely rocky beginning, starting with a separation from the Roman Catholic Church. Starting in 1606, a group of villagers in Scrooby, England left the church of England and formed a congregation called the Separatist Church, and the members were called The puritans (“Pilgrims”).
The English Monarch, at the time, wanted power over religion and sought total control. With this goal, practicing other religions, outside the Church of England, punishable by law. Many English wasted to continue practicing their religions, and America offered the potential to do so without the threat of English law. B. Describe the economic systems, social characteristics and political systems of the following colonies.
