Throughout the colonial period of US history, religion remained an essential part of social, political, and everyday life. Unlike other colonies, which Catholicism dominated, different religious denominations co-existed in the British colonies. This diversity inevitably led to the adoption of the principle of religious tolerance and formed a unique ideological and political environment, which later facilitated the transition to state independence.
Colonies were dependent territories under the rule of a foreign state, without independent political and economic power, and governed based on a particular regime. Often, the colonial administration did not grant the rights of citizens to the population of the controlled territory, comparable to the dominant state. The New England colonies were settled by English men and women who refused to compromise their passionate Christian religious beliefs in the face of religious persecution. Some of the settlers who came to these places came for secular reasons, but the vast majority left Europe to worship in the way they thought was right.
The Puritan faith had a significant influence on the colonies. The Puritans were English Protestants who wanted to reform and purge the Church of England for what they considered unacceptable Roman Catholicism remnants. Their position was opposed by the ruling class, which insisted that the Puritans observe Anglican religious customs. The Puritans in England were in danger, as England was on the verge of civil war.
The Puritans decided to establish the English colonies in Massachusetts Bay. They believed that all people were cursed for their sins, and there were those whom God chose for reasons incomprehensible to people. The foundation of faith was the Theology of the Covenant, consisting of the Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace1. The first was to keep the law of God in order to avoid death. The second said that God would save the Chosen Ones. Puritans emphasized that a person cannot keep the Covenant of Works based on the conversion experience; therefore, a person must entirely depend on the Covenant of Grace and Hope for divine salvation.
A sinful member of the community brought sin upon the community as a whole and could no longer relate to it. The Puritans also emphasized Christian discipline, setting a day for going to church, imposing sanctions that could include corporal punishment and even the death penalty. All men and women had to be married and the man was the head of the family. Church Membership played a vital role for the Puritan community. Only the Chosen people could purchase land, take part in the voting, as in all essential aspects of the community’s life.
After a while, some people began to doubt and condemn the actions of the Puritans2. Their religious intolerance soon led to the expulsion from the colony of several religious communities, led by Roger Williams, who called for tolerance, separation of church and state, and a final break with the Anglican Church. As a result, the Williams community established the new colony of Rhode Island. Gradually, new colonies also began to form in Providence and Newport, preaching religious freedom, with followers of such religions as Baptist and Quaker.
On a par with the Puritan religion, colonies were formed in the South, with the Anglican Church as the dominant one. They were located on the territory of Virginia, South and North Carolina and were divided into parishes with several congregations in each. As English citizens, the colonists felt freer than in England itself. Here, there were none of the traditional customs surrounding the life of an ordinary Englishman in the new lands. Unlike their neighbors, the inhabitants of these colonies did not choose their ministers; they were appointed for them in England. The church was supported by taxes paid by members of the congregation, regardless of their membership in any community.
The sacristy was responsible for distributing citizens’ money, which went to ministers’ salaries, assistance to unmarried mothers, road repairs. In light of the freedom of religious law, some southern Englishmen could be indifferent to religion, which would be unacceptable for Puritans. For many, material well-being was more important than religion. Aspects such as religious tolerance and security began to attract the followers of various religions, such as Lutherans, Presbyterians, and French Huguenots3. That created even greater religious diversity in the southern colonies.
Protestant ethics, the asceticism of the first settlers influenced the formation of the national identity of Americans. Without knowledge of the Bible, an impeccable reputation and lifestyle, no position of responsibility could be held. All decisions were made with the blessing of the Protestant pastor. Due to unsatisfied citizens’ appearance, various colonies began to form, supporting freedom of belief, in which people adhere to multiple religions, such as Baptisms and Quakers. Thus, confessional pluralism at the initial stage of the United States’ formation had a significant influence on the final appearance of the country and the construction of religious tolerance.
Works Cited
Larsen, Andrew. “3.1 Colonial Religion.” HIS105. 2021, Carroll University, Waukesha, WI. Lecture.
Larsen, Andrew. “The England’s Debate over Freedom.” HIS105. 2021, Carroll University, Waukesha, WI. Lecture.
Footnotes
- Larsen, Andrew. “3.1 Colonial Religion.” HIS105. 2021, Carroll University, Waukesha, WI. Lecture.
- Larsen, Andrew. “The England’s Debate over Freedom.” HIS105. 2021, Carroll University, Waukesha, WI. Lecture.
- Larsen, Andrew. “3.1 Colonial Religion.” HIS105. 2021, Carroll University, Waukesha, WI. Lecture.