Revivalism In The Great Awakenings

On December 15, 1791, ten new amendments were ratified by Congress and added to the United States’ Constitution subsequently becoming known as The Bill of Rights. The First Amendment was and still is a remarkable piece of historical work that will forever distinguish the United States from the rest of the world. The First Amendment reads clearly, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; …” The right given to Americans in that sentence is a notion that was first introduced in the colonies during the Great Awakenings. Although the effects of evangelicalism and revivalism are abundant and just as significant, diversity and tolerance within religion is the greatest impact seen on the American colonies. Through the actions and words of religious leaders like George Whitefield and Gilbert Tennent, there was a shift in religious thinking, thus determining that not one denomination or sect could possess a stronghold over the public in the future. The freedom to choose what and who to believe in was an idea presented …show more content…
On March 8, 1740, Tennent produced his most famous sermon “The Danger of an Unconverted Ministry” in which he criticized the tactics of anti-revivalists affecting the movement. He addressed the issue of the salvation of the people who were exposed to these denounced leaders and posed the question, “For if the Blind lead the Blind, will they not both fall into the Ditch?” “The Ditch” being some form of unwanted ending, Tennent encouraged laypeople to leave their established churches if they felt it was not helping them to fulfill their individual, divine duty. A concept in colonial America that was sure to accompany challenges, Tennent’s suggestion essentially allowed for the beginning of individual persons to choose what they wanted to believe