Religious Tolerance In Colonial America

In colonial America the colonists had a very different view of religious tolerance and liberty then a modern day american child is led to belief. Growing up in America we are told the romanticized tale of the Mayflower and the colonists who came to America in order to escape religious persecution. This leads the common american to think America’s foundation was based on religious liberty. The truth of the matter is much closer to a Samuel Johnson quote, “A merchant’s desire is not of glory; but of gain; not of public wealth, but of private emolument; he is therefore rarely to be consulted about war and peace, or any designs of wide extent and distant consequence”( ). Early Americans, mostly during the seventeenth and the eighteenth century, …show more content…
When religious passion flooded the American colonies the voices of every church grew in strength. With the growing religious passion, the call for religious liberties only grew louder. No matter how small the church was their voice called to their leaders that they want protection from intolerance. This voice only grew in the face of “Infidelity”. The minor difference each church had with one another were miniscule compared to the dangers of scientific thinking and rationalism. Rationalism, deism, and science threatened every church and their ability to connect with God. The spread of religious liberties became principal in these times pathing the way for Jefferson, Adams, Mason, and Franklin to create the foundation of America’s religious liberties (Miller, 64). Past transgressions against minority religions such as: the hanging of four Quakers in Boston, the whipping of Obadiah Holmes, and the banishment of the Hutchinsons would not be tolerated(Miller, 59). The frenzy of religious fervor pushed every sect to protect their own religious rights and to push for political protection as well. Religious rights are most protected when the members of a society feel like their rights are under attack, especially if it is a sentiment felt by the majority. The Great Awakening allowed even the Puritan church to see the advantages of …show more content…
Although Roger Williams failed to persuade Massachusetts he became the found our Rhode island in the early 17th century. Rhode island became a Quaker colony that practiced religious liberty and tolerance on principle, although they did not allow atheists and such due to the backlash. Religious rights on principle later became a widespread belief during and after the First Great Awakening. To point to a singular event that gave America its core belief is nonsensical, but through circumstance and the fervor of the Great Awakening the perfect environment was curated so that religious rights can be protected in every