Religion's Influence In North America

Compare the ways in which religion shaped the development of colonial society (to 1740) in TWO of the following regions: New England

Religion was the foundation of the early Colonial American Puritan writings. Many of the early settlements were comprised of men and women who fled Europe in the face of persecution to come to a new land and worship according to their own will. Their beliefs were stalwartly rooted in the fact that God should be involved with all facets of their lives and constantly worshiped. These Puritans writings focused on their religious foundations related to their exodus from Europe and religions role in their life on the new continent. Their literature helped to proselytize the message of God and focused on hard work and strict adherence to religious principles, thus avoiding eternal damnation. These main themes are evident in the writings of

The Post-Classical Period encompassed both a return to the legacies of classical civilizations as well the beginning of new empires. However, what was most significant about this period was the increase in trade and the spread of religion between civilizations. Two continuities in the development of religion in the Americas during the Post-Classical period were religion’s political impact and cultural influence. One change in the development of trade in the Americas during the Post-Classical period was the increased economic interaction due to the emergence of empires.

Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, a series of religious revivalist movements took place in the English colonies of North America. Born out of the declining religious devotion of many colonists, the revival, known as the Great Awakening, created a new form of Christianity and transformed how religion was viewed in the colonies. This monumental event had long-term effects on North America, some of which continue to be felt even today. The most notable long term effects included the transformation of Protestantism and religious worship, the spread of revolutionary zeal due to the establishment of the American spirit, and the emergence of higher education in America.

Religion has always had a dramatic effect on any colony, country, or time period. The religion in the early colonial age not only affected the people in that era but affected modern day religion and politics in American society. To begin, religious ideas shaped our land. This is because, when the first explorers came to America, they tried to spread their religious ideas. This affected modern day population and minority numbers in many places. For example, when the Spanish first came to America, they tried to spread their religious ideas among the native people there. The natives didn’t like this and so they fought back. This shaped the major religion and political systems in the parts that the Spaniards explored. Also, some of the first colonies,

Religious authority had an effect on virtually all groupings in Colonial North America. The religious institutions of all denominations held authority over their congregations, as well as their intended converts. Moreover, some churches, such as those found in the Puritan colonies, were not altogether removed from the governments in their region as one might equate to modern-day North American governing. Nonetheless, there would soon be a shift in power as the First Great Awakening commenced, and the people began to assume control. Religious authority, or the lack thereof, would influence countless groups and individuals alike.

Due to their dedication to religion, members of communities in British North America were expected to attend religious ceremonies throughout each day. The amount of effort placed into their particular religion reflects the importance it held over the colonists and their societies. Although many factors affected British North America, religion impacted the colonies through its initial formation and political elements.

The public life of a citizen in an early American community varied greatly with the customs and culture of each society. The two largest factors that determined what was socially acceptable for citizens during that time were religion and politics. Often religion would shape how the community viewed politics and likewise politics would affect religion. However, it appears that before the American Revolution religion dictated politics and the subsequent laws that were written, while after the war citizens began to have political aspirations that would change how society viewed religion. Thus, marking a very clear shift where religion stopped being the primary influence on public life and politics began to take over that role.

English Christians turned to the New World for relief from religious conflict and overpopulation in England. They perceived America as an uncultivated place where they would be able to settle in without any constraints. Many colonists believed this was their chance to start over and build an ideal civilization based on their religious beliefs. Puritans had different morals and standards that differed from other Protestants. People like Roger Williams, Anne Hutchinson and Thomas Hooker had a significant impact in how colonists settled in America.

It cannot be ignored that “religious thinking, religious questioning, religious faith permeated the Revolution and the Founding.” We also cannot ignore the important influence of Christianity on many Americans, “from the Puritans to the present day.” Our nation was founded by the devout Christians, who wanted to spread His nation. The Founding Fathers were mostly Christians who agreed with Christian doctrine. They were strongly influenced by Christianity that later they involved the influence to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Religious beliefs impact in some of the thirteen colonies, instantly some state supported religion were removed before, and the remaining requirements having no legal and void after the passing of the Fourteen Amendment. Most of this are support from tax benefits to religious requiring for voting or serving in the legislature. In Virginia, for example back country Scotch-Irish Presbyterian farmers demanded relief from taxes supporting the official Anglican Church. In New York established complete religious liberty kept intact colonial provisions barring Jews from voting and holding public office.

In the late 1600's and early 1700's, Christianity was alive and well. It helped the early settlers when travelling the three month long voyage to the new world. While dealing with sea illnesses, harsh weather, and damage to the ship, they all still held faith in god. They believed that he was the reason they got through it all. After landing, they had to deal with the natives, and the struggles then. Through it all, their love for god persevered. However, as time went on, people in the colonies started falling off. They stopped believing in the religion.

It surprise me a lot the contribution that religion had in each important process of the creation of this country, and the part that the Pilgrims and Puritans played in this process, a group of immigrants that arrived to New England; interesting enough very similar to the situation that is a topic today in news regarding the situation with the immigrants living and struggling in this country.

The Influence religion had on the Native Americans was huge. They let their dreams determine what would happen to them and how they would handle any situation. Like when Yellow Kidney got kidnapped and Heavy Shield Woman had dreams about Yellow Kidney that told her what really happened and what she had to do to save him. She became the Sun dance woman, where she fasted until the sun dance ceremony so she could have her husband back “Heavy Shield Women sat in the Sacred Vow lodge, her face drawn and gray with her fast” (Welch 112). They pretty much had Zodiac signs in away. When they are they go out by there self and fast until they see their “animal’ Like Fools Crow animal was a werewolf. “ For you, brother you carry that with when you go

The religions around the world are practiced in America such as Christianity,Islam,Jewish,etc and this country still remains one of the most religious nations in the world today.Population also usually can be participates in organized religious practice while others can choose to engage in a private spirituality.Besides that,religion can be describes as spiritual belief in, worship of, or obedience to a God and considered to be divine or to have control of human destiny.I believe the percentages in American people that believe in God still be higher in 50 years ahead,but the religious practicing probably will decreasing.It has many factors such as age, race, gender, economic class, and other demographic factors that can affect American