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Religion in the Colonies
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Religion in the 13 Colonies
www.BritishAmerica.com
Not all Puritans
September 1732
New England
Puritans Escape Religious Persecution
In New England, the Puritan population practiced religion in meetinghouses – they served not only as houses of worship, but for political and social functions as well. Puritans practiced a “pure” form of Christianity and followed strict rules that governed their lives. Puritans were generally intolerant of other religion groups, or of “radicals” who spoke out against their ways.
Roger Williams Angers Massachusetts Leaders
Roger Williams was the founder of the Rhode Island Colony. He was a Puritan dissident who spoke out against the combined church and government and the laws requiring settlers to attend church. He was a supporter of religious freedom and the separation of church and state. In 1636 his strong views clashed with those of John Winthrop, the governor of Massachusetts who banished him from the strictly Puritan colony. Roger Williams fled and established a colony for religious dissidents, which later became the state of Rhode Island
Anne Hutchinson leaves Massachusetts
Anne and her hubsand migrated to the Massachusetts Bay colony. She conducted weekly meetings in her home. She often spoke about views of religion that went against the Puritan ministers’ view. As Anne Hutchinson’s popularity grew, the magistrates determined she was dangerous to the community, and Governor John Winthrop charged her sedition and heresy. Winthrop condemned her teaching men as “not fitting for your sex.” She was banished and moved with her family to Rhose Island.
Thomas Hooker Heads West
Thomas Hooker migrated to Massachusetts Bay Colony. Early on he and his supporters became frustrated with the strict Puritan church and government. He was not banished from the colony of Massachusetts but instead sought and received permission to establish another colony. In 1636 Hooker led a group to Connecticut where he helped create the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, the first written constitution. Hooker believed that people should be allowed to vote even if they were not active members in the church.
Middle Colonies
In The Middle There is Tolerance
In the middle colonies, different religious groups practiced in different establishments. Religious diversity was highest here, and there were practicing populations of Quakers, Roman Catholics, Protestants, Catholics, Lutherans, Jews, and others.
William Penn is a Quaker
Penn established a colony for religious freedom for the Quakers. Quakers did not believe in the strict rules imposed by the Puritan church. They believed that people could have a direct relation with God, rather than one mediated by a minister. Quakers believed that all people are equal, so slavery is not moral. They also established peaceful relations with local Indians.
Southern Colonies
Anglican Church in the Southern Colonies
Most people in the Southern Colonies were Anglican (Church of England). Religion did not have the same impact on communities as in the New England colonies or the Middle colonies because people lived on plantations that were often distant and spread out from one another. Officially in most southern colonies people were supposed to be Anglican; however there few Anglican ministers, and few people practiced religion. In general, people were able to worship as they pleased. In Georgia, Catholics were not allowed.
Maryland for Catholics
Lord Baltimore was granted a charter to establish Maryland as a safe place for Catholics to freely practice their religion. The charter expressly stated that the colony would be religiously tolerant. In 1649, Maryland passed the Maryland Toleration Act which mandated tolerance for Christians. This was the first law establishing religious tolerance in the colonies. This law was intended to protect Catholic settlers and Protestants who did not follow the Church of England.
Great Awakening
The Great Awakening was a religious revival that impacted the English colonies in America during the 1730s and 1740s. The movement came at a time when the Age of Reason was on the rise, and passion for religion had grown stale. Christian leaders often traveled from town to town, preaching about the gospel, emphasizing salvation from sins and promoting enthusiasm for Christianity. The result was a renewed dedication toward religion.
Most historians consider Jonathan Edwards, a Northampton Anglican minister, one of the chief fathers of the Great Awakening.
Edwards was known for his passion and energy. He generally preached in his home parish, unlike other revival preachers who traveled throughout the colonies.