Religion in Colonial AmericaMany people believe that the piety of the Pilgrims typified early American religion. However, by the 1730s Catholics, Jews, and Africans had joined Native Americans, Puritans, and numerous Protestant denominations in the colonies. Jon Butler launches his narrative with a description of the state of religious affairs in both the Old and New Worlds. He explores the failure of John Winthrop's goal to achieve Puritan perfection, the controversy over Anne Hutchinson's tenacious faith, the evangelizing stamina of ex-slave and Methodist preacher Absalom Jones, and the spiritual resilience of the Catawba Indians. The meeting of these diverse groups and their varied use of music, dance, and ritual produced an unprecedented evolution of religious practice, including the birth of revivals. And through their daily interactions, these Americans created a living foundation for the First Amendment. After Independence their active diversity of faiths led Americans to the groundbreaking idea that government should abandon the use of law to support any religious group and should instead guarantee free exercise of religion for everyone. Religion in American Life explores the evolution, character, and dynamics of organized religion in America from 1500 to the present day. Written by distinguished religious historians, these books weave together the varying stories that compose the religious fabric of the United States, from Puritanism to alternative religious practices. Primary source material coupled with handsome illustrations and lucid text make these books essential in any exploration of Americas diverse nature. Each book includes a chronology, suggestions for further reading, and index. |
Common terms and phrases
18th-century activity African American American Revolution Anglican arrived authority Baptists became believed bishop body Boston British buildings called Catholics cause century changed Christian Church of England City civil clergymen colonies colonists congregations constructed converted created cultures death denominations described diversity early English especially establishment European example experience fhall followers formed freedom fuch George German groups hand House Huguenots immigrants important Indians individual Jewish Jews John king land later leaders lived London Lord Lutheran magic Maryland Massachusetts meetings Methodist ministers missionary Native nature never North numbers offending Pennsylvania percent perfon Philadelphia political practices preachers preaching Presbyterians Protestant Puritans Quakers Reformed religion religious religious groups remained revivals sermon settled settlers slaves societies sometimes South Carolina spiritual stressed Synod throughout tions towns traditional University Press Virginia Whitefield witch women World worship York