Did the Puritans Really Come to America for Religious Freedom? Did the Puritans Really Come to America for Religious Freedom? Did the Puritans come to America purely for religious freedom? Many believe that religious freedom was the sole reason for their immigration to America. I believe that religious persecution was the principle reason for their voyage but also feel that their discontent with the English government played a key role in their leaving as well.
They differed greatly in economic structure, religious beliefs, societal structure, and also population make-up. The two regions were very close, but in the end became two completely different regions with unique identities. The New England area was originally settled by people seeking religious freedom in the new world. They were primarily Puritan Separatists. They decided to come to the new world after the Church of England separated from Catholicism in a decision made by King Henry VIII.
Whereas one was founded by a group of pilgrims that mixed religion and law and that, some would say, bordered on being quite zealous in their beliefs. The other was founded by a religious group, which was widely persecuted in the New England colonies, the Quakers, whom had built the laws of their new home secularly so as to ensure freedom for all. However, the differences do not stop there. The Massachusetts Bay Colony was founded by a group of puritans seeking asylum from the suppression and persecution that they had faced under the crown (Brinkley 33). Finally landing on the shores of the Massachusetts bay (hence the name) in 1630, one year after King James I had granted them (under the name Massachusetts Bay Company) a land exploration charter (Celebrateboston.com 1).
The Puritanism began with they Plymouth colonist of 1620. They believed in the Church of England was corrupt and that true Christians must separate themselves from it, leading to their emigration to the Americas. Their values and ideas influenced the political, economic, and social developments of the American colonies. Their idea of a united and representative government is one of the important and basic elements of the U.S. government. They influenced the colonies socially with their emphasis on community and led to the desire for religious freedom.
Analyze the extent to which religious freedom existed in the British North American colonies prior to 1700. Prior to 1700 there was some form of religious tolerance in the Southern and Middle colonies while the New England colonies showed strict religious intolerance. There was hardly any religious tolerance in the New England colonies which was inhabited mostly by Puritans. After separating from the Church of England many of them moved to the New World in order to escape prosecution. The forming of towns and communities together with their strict beliefs, lead to this superior number of Puritans.
A significant proportion of the citizens of Plymouth were fleeing religious persecution and searching for a place to worship as they saw fit. The social and legal systems of the colony became closely tied to their religious beliefs, as well as English custom. In contrast to the Pilgrims, the Puritans did not want to separate from the church but rather reform it. However, the persecution of many Puritans in England in the 1620's led them to believe religious reform would not be possible while Charles was
The Second Great Awakening influenced Abolitionism by motivating people to act upon their religious beliefs, and many joined the abolitionist cause. Many felt that it incorporated their new religion’s teachings. The evangelist preachers taught equality, and abolitionists thought slavery violated basic rights of man. Many of the abolitionists were in fact a part of the religious movement. Thomas Clarkson, an evangelical reformer, was the
The Puritans came to America to spread the word about religion and Beliefs . They came to preserve/protect themselves from corrupt government And how to worship. They wanted to teach people about there religious beliefs And to share what they know about Jesus Christ. (John Winthrop) “ God almighty in his most holy and wise providence hath so disposed Of the condition of mankind, as in all times some must be rich, some poor, some High and eminent
Since the Engel vs. Vitale decision in 1962, religious advocates have been assailing the Supreme Court for "taking God out of the classroom." In an effort to reverse this trend, conservative religious groups have been fighting for the passage of a school prayer amendment to gain greater leeway for religious activities in schools. Clearly not all school prayer advocates agree as to what types of religious activities are permissible in public schools and why, but the following are some of the most frequently heard arguments. First, Our Government is based on Religious Principles. School prayer proponents maintain the United States was established as a Christian nation with religion playing a central role in guiding the nation’s destiny.
John Carroll faced the challenge to depict what democratic ideas could he incorporate into the Catholic Church. He pondered on the fact that many settlers migrated to the New World fleeing the oppression of an established church in Europe “and resolve not to duplicate that situation in the New World”(2). Settlers of America suspected that the Pope would make it difficult to American Catholics to stay loyal to this country and “to enjoy their full democratic rights”(2). Bishop Carroll concluded that he needed to persuade Americans that that was not the case. He went through great pains to prove that Catholics were in fact subject to Rome and that the Pope would only influence them in spiritual matters.