American Christianism

After Martin Luther 's Protestant Reformation in 1517, Europe experienced the development of numerous interpretations of Christianity. The European theological conflict would eventually lead to immigration of various religious groups in the United States. These groups would be the religious bases that America would be founded on. Even though, the American Indian was established in the United States with various religious beliefs, they could not stop the onset of beliefs that would come to be established. This differentiation of religious thought would lead to the colonization, eventual founding of the United States, and a war that would tear the United States in half. In the United States, religion would have both positive and negative effects …show more content…
The majority of these individuals labeled themselves as Protestant Christian. However, these groups were not unified by specific beliefs. Instead, diverse Christian factions often believed that their customs and faiths represented distinctive principles that needed protection against those whose ideas that varied from their own. The Protestant extension of Christianity continuously gave origin to further sects, such as the Baptists, Methodists, Quakers, Unitarians and numerous others. One religious movement that established itself was Puritanism. Several positive ideas that the Puritan integrated into the American culture are ideas of individual being logical and responsible for actions. These ideas can be seen through the day-to-day life of the Puritan people. They incorporated the concept that education was a vital part of striving to become a productive member of society. Puritanism established one of the most important foundations of American law and beliefs. The idea of liberty both natural and civil; this idea of liberty and freedom would be broadened and adapted throughout American History. However, the Puritans religious belief also had several specific opposing concepts. The negative concepts are that individuals were not allowed to have independent thought and justice was harsh/unforgiving. One specific historical event that illustrates these negative aspects are the Salem Witch trials. However, these pessimistic ideas would help to establish, varying religious groups or a variation of beliefs. Both the negative and positive concepts would lead to the ideas of individuals, a strong sense of mission, and the idea of democracy. This became the foundation of the United States of America would be founded