Religion in the Colonies
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Transcript of Religion in the Colonies
• Only about 1 in 7 in the North belonged to a church– Smaller ratio in the South
• Anglican Church- – Official religion of VA, MD (as of 1692), Carolinas, GA, and parts of
NY
– Established the college of William and Mary in 1693 to train ministers
– Weakened by lack of Bishops in New World
• Congregational Church-– Grew out of the Puritan Church
– Prominent in New England
– Initially all citizens of a community supported church through taxes regardless of faith
• Eventually non-members exempted from tax
Religion in the ColoniesReligion in the Colonies
• Presbyterian Church-– Closely associated with Congregational Church (both were Calvinists)
– Difference was that Presbyterians believed that all Presbyterian churches constituted a unified body
• Quakers-– Large numbers in PA, NJ, DE, and RI
– Believed in “inner light” concept which caused them to Quake during worship
– Pacifists who hated New England slave trade; 1st real abolitionists in colonies
• Jews– 1st Jews arrived in mid 1600’s; located in RI, NY, PA, MD, and SC
– Approximately 1,500 in colonies by mid 1700’s
Religion in the ColoniesReligion in the Colonies
• Presbyterian Church-– Closely associated with Congregational Church (both were Calvinists)
– Difference was that Presbyterians believed that all Presbyterian churches constituted a unified body
• Quakers-– Large numbers in PA, NJ, DE, and RI
– Believed in “inner light” concept which caused them to Quake during worship
– Pacifists who hated New England slave trade; 1st real abolitionists in colonies
• Jews– 1st Jews arrived in mid 1600’s; located in RI, NY, PA, MD, and SC
– Approximately 1,500 in colonies by mid 1700’s
Religion in the ColoniesReligion in the Colonies
• Presbyterian Church-– Closely associated with Congregational Church (both were Calvinists)
– Difference was that Presbyterians believed that all Presbyterian churches constituted a unified body
• Quakers-– Large numbers in PA, NJ, DE, and RI
– Believed in “inner light” concept which caused them to Quake during worship
– Pacifists who hated New England slave trade; 1st real abolitionists in colonies
• Jews– 1st Jews arrived in mid 1600’s; located in RI, NY, PA, MD, and SC
– Approximately 1,500 in colonies by mid 1700’s
Religion in the ColoniesReligion in the Colonies
The Great Awakening
• 1st mass social movement in American Colonies
• Primarily in the Southern and middle colonies
• Religion in America had become more liberal over the decades
• Great Awakening was a movement back towards a more conservative style of religion
The Great Awakening
• Arminianism: Directly challenged Calvinism’s predestination doctrine and was supported increasingly by liberal ministers – Stated man is not helpless in achieving
salvation; his will can be an effective force in his being saved
The Great Awakening
Jonathon Edwards• Credited with starting the great
awakening in 1734
• Very influential theologian and writer
• Blasted the idea of salvation through free will (arminianism); dependence on
– God's grace is paramount
• Emphasized eternal damnation
• Style was learned and reasoned; not emotional like other "new lights"
The Great Awakening
George Whitefield• Englishman who traveled
extensively throughout the colonies
• Gave rousing speeches and drew large crowds
• Created Methodism in GA and SC
• Most influential figure in Great Awakening
• Referred to the Bible
The Great Awakening
• 1st mass social movement in American Colonies
• Primarily in the Southern and middle colonies
• Religion in America had become more liberal over the decades
• Great Awakening was a movement back towards a more conservative style of religion