Religion is a fundamental factor defining individuals and giving them a sense of belonging. One can associate the origin of different religions and their culture in the United States with the spreading of Christianity during the colonial period. Religion, regardless of the denomination, impacted the daily life of inhabitants of the American colonies by shaping moral values, relationships, clothing, beliefs, and thoughts about slavery because individuals’ lives revolved around it.
Religion shaped the moral values and relationships of the colonies’ inhabitants, most of whom were slaves and Native Americans. Religious leaders used the bible to teach people what is acceptable before the eyes of men and God. For instance, the region discourages sins such as stealing and violence. Religion encouraged harmonious relation relationships among people and between humans and God. For example, people halted all work and leisure activities on Saturday afternoon to focus exclusively on God until Sunday evening (Mark). Everybody needed to attend church on Sunday to learn Christianity values.
Religion dictated the type of clothes people could wear, shaped their beliefs, and made them accept slavery as the will of God. According to Mark, religion encouraged people to wear brightly colored clothes throughout the week and somber or black ones on Sundays. Notably, black or somber clothing signified sanctified thoughts and repentance. Religion taught people that some beliefs and practices, such as witchcraft, were evil. Equally, they promoted slavery and its acceptance as part of God’s plan using the bible. Therefore, religion was a significant tool used by colonists to own slaves.
Conclusively, although religion is one of the essential factors that identify individuals, it was used to shape moral values, relationships, clothing, beliefs, and thoughts about slavery in the colonies. The region was used to decide what was morally acceptable in society and encouraged a good relationship between humans and God. Colonists further used religion to change people’s ways of clothing and beliefs and made them accept slavery as God’s plan.
Work Cited
Mark, Joshua J. “Religion in Colonial America”. World History Encyclopedia, 2021.