The reoccurring theme that can be seem in almost off the reading throughout the course is that of religion and its importance to people. People from different cultural backgrounds and circumstances used religion to survive harsh conditions, cope with changes around them, and even justify their actions. Although religion became the way many people during the time period lived their life, it was also a barrier because of the different ways people interpreted the religion.
Each community shared their own beliefs and defended themselves with their own religious practices. Religion for many years has been a force that has continued to bring people together but also caused groups of people who share the same beliefs to branch out and create their own communities. The religion heavily practiced throughout that time period was Christianity. It was the religion brought from Europe and practiced by those who wanted to reform and change the way Christianity was interpreted and practiced in their homelands. Although religion played a large role in many of the readings, the stories that were heavily influenced by religion were Mary Rowlandson’s story, “A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson” and Olaudah Equiano’s biography, “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavas Vassa, the African”. In Rowlandson’s story she relied greatly on her faith in God to sustain herself during her captivity. Like any other settlers during the time Rowlandson saw the Native Americans as savages and wild men. Rowlandson’s view was that her relationship with God made her superior to the Native Americans who she considered to be uncivilized because they did not share the same religious beliefs as she did. This shows how religion was a barrier between the two cultures. It also explains how the mentality of many individuals during that time period of superiority was justified because of their religious beliefs. This type of thinking can be seen throughout Rowlandson’s writing when she makes biblical references for example when she quotes the story of Joseph, her belief that Puritans were chosen by God to carry out their beliefs. She mentions, “God seemed to leave his People to themselves…They are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph, therefore shall they go captive, with the first that go captive. It is the Lord's doing, and it should be marvelous in our eyes” (Rowlandson). Rowlandson compared the sinful brothers of Joseph to the sinful Puritan colonist of New England and believed that God was punishing his people. She also strongly believed that God used the Native Americans as punishment for the sins of the colonists had committed by deviated from their relationship with God in the first place. …show more content…
When comparing Rowlandson’s point of view to Equiano’s writing it can be seen that they both share the same strong belief that things happen because God intended them to. In a way Rowlandson’s and Equiano’s stories both begin with their captivity. Although Equiano was exposed to Christianity a little later in his journey when he was taken to England. In his writings
Equiano mentions that it was very easy for him to accept the European culture. This is one of the differences between his story and that of Rowlandson’s, Rowlandson found that her faith helped her survive the rough times while Equiano was in awe of the European lifestyle but the impact that religion had on them and beliefs in the power of Christianity helped them survive through tough times. As Equiano continued his religious practices and studies, he begins to believe that his new situation is a result of God’s punishment for his sins and soon he began to accept his new way of life when he is sold by his master. He mentions, “I have been baptized; and by the laws of the land no man has a right to sell me”. Throughout his writing Equiano describes his beliefs more vividly, one of the biggest moments that Equiano describes is when he first gets a Bible. Equiano’s beliefs in Christianity proved not only comforting but also practical because through them he was able to survive though his current situation and get past the struggles that he encountered. Equiano was disturbed by his memories, he mentions that.
Each community shared their own beliefs and defended themselves with their own religious practices. Religion for many years has been a force that has continued to bring people together but also caused groups of people who share the same beliefs to branch out and create their own communities. The religion heavily practiced throughout that time period was Christianity. It was the religion brought from Europe and practiced by those who wanted to reform and change the way Christianity was interpreted and practiced in their homelands. Although religion played a large role in many of the readings, the stories that were heavily influenced by religion were Mary Rowlandson’s story, “A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson” and Olaudah Equiano’s biography, “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavas Vassa, the African”. In Rowlandson’s story she relied greatly on her faith in God to sustain herself during her captivity. Like any other settlers during the time Rowlandson saw the Native Americans as savages and wild men. Rowlandson’s view was that her relationship with God made her superior to the Native Americans who she considered to be uncivilized because they did not share the same religious beliefs as she did. This shows how religion was a barrier between the two cultures. It also explains how the mentality of many individuals during that time period of superiority was justified because of their religious beliefs. This type of thinking can be seen throughout Rowlandson’s writing when she makes biblical references for example when she quotes the story of Joseph, her belief that Puritans were chosen by God to carry out their beliefs. She mentions, “God seemed to leave his People to themselves…They are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph, therefore shall they go captive, with the first that go captive. It is the Lord's doing, and it should be marvelous in our eyes” (Rowlandson). Rowlandson compared the sinful brothers of Joseph to the sinful Puritan colonist of New England and believed that God was punishing his people. She also strongly believed that God used the Native Americans as punishment for the sins of the colonists had committed by deviated from their relationship with God in the first place. …show more content…
When comparing Rowlandson’s point of view to Equiano’s writing it can be seen that they both share the same strong belief that things happen because God intended them to. In a way Rowlandson’s and Equiano’s stories both begin with their captivity. Although Equiano was exposed to Christianity a little later in his journey when he was taken to England. In his writings
Equiano mentions that it was very easy for him to accept the European culture. This is one of the differences between his story and that of Rowlandson’s, Rowlandson found that her faith helped her survive the rough times while Equiano was in awe of the European lifestyle but the impact that religion had on them and beliefs in the power of Christianity helped them survive through tough times. As Equiano continued his religious practices and studies, he begins to believe that his new situation is a result of God’s punishment for his sins and soon he began to accept his new way of life when he is sold by his master. He mentions, “I have been baptized; and by the laws of the land no man has a right to sell me”. Throughout his writing Equiano describes his beliefs more vividly, one of the biggest moments that Equiano describes is when he first gets a Bible. Equiano’s beliefs in Christianity proved not only comforting but also practical because through them he was able to survive though his current situation and get past the struggles that he encountered. Equiano was disturbed by his memories, he mentions that.