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INTRODUCTION

Religion played a fundamental role in shaping the current American society. Some of the values and beliefs upheld by the current American society can be traced back to the early days when the country was experiencing growth and establishing itself in the backdrop of challenges of freeing itself from the colonial powers of Britain. During the early 17th and mid 18th century there was tremendous growth and development of the American society (Bradstreet 1-2). Even though religions may change and evolve, the most important aspect is that they will always be part of any culture. During the above period, the American society was comprised of people from different cultures who brought with them, their own religious practices and values (Wheatley 3-5). However, unlike the colonial Britain which was viewed as having strict religious orientation, the American society was viewed as open, welcoming and with no defined religious view and this led to its rapid growth since arriving cultures would implant and practice their religion freely.

During the British invasion, immigrants and colonialist often had a hard time establishing their religion in the new country since the religious views practiced in America were contrary to their own belief system (Wheatley 3-4). Massachusetts Bay and Virginia practiced religious standpoints which were in complete contrast not only to the colonizers but to the greater Americans. The British colonialists viewed the America inhabitants’ religion as different and thus sought to impose their own religion on the society (Wheatley 5). Religion thus went ahead to play a key role in the formation of partnerships and collaborations since the inhabitants easily warmed up to the British colonialists whom they viewed as holding similar religious views. Despite the coexistence of different religions, the colonialists succeeded in instilling their religion in the population leading to the creation of pure Christian states such as Massachusetts and Delaware.

In the colonial era, the American society witnessed new traditions being brought by different cultures hence there was a need to find healthy ways of living together where everyone could practice their own religion (Bradstreet 14-17). This led to the interaction of different cultures and beliefs since people were always welcoming and accommodating of other people’s religious views. American society diversity can be traced to the influx of different faiths and traditions into the country (Bradstreet 14-17). The slaves who were brought in from West Africa majorly practiced Islam which was a different form of worship from the one practiced by the colonialists. George Whitefield who was an outspoken evangelical cleric was chased out of many churches in England because the people there could not tolerate his teaching and the place he found refugee was in America where he set up his mobile pulpit and took his message on the road (Wheatley 7-8).

However, the arriving communities mainly slaves from West Africa and East Africa had a hard time in adapting to the culture and religion they found the host community practicing and thus assimilation and dissent were not always tolerated (Wheatley 3-4). Different areas enacted religious laws that would later be adopted in the entire state. For example, Massachusetts and South Carolina were strictly Christian states that practiced strict Christian values and beliefs.

Nevertheless, these divisions did not last for long and as the early American society began to grow, people became more welcoming of divergent religious views (Bradstreet 14-17). Even though the treaty of Tripoli of 1797 did not affirm America as a religious state, certain values and beliefs were commonly practiced and helped shape the current laws of the country. Religious organizations shared some common goals and agendas which were instrumental in the abolition of slave trade and championing of women rights (Wheatley 3-4). Also, the majority of religious organizations shared a common view when it came to certain vices affecting the society such as crime and adultery.

As the religion storm was taking over America, some people still found it hard to accept the teachings of Christianity and preferred enlightenment to the teachings prescribed by the colonialists (Wheatley 3-4). For example, Thomas Jefferson believed in the free practice of religion and played a crucial role in helping break the rules and regulations that certain states such as Delaware requiring only Christians to hold office had instilled (Wheatley 7-8). The fruits of his works especially the championing of free education and freedom of worship are still enjoyed by the American people to date.

CONCLUSION

Religion played a crucial role in shaping the early American society. Some of the freedoms and rights enjoyed by the American people can still be traced to that pre-colonial era where great strides were made (Bradstreet 1-2). Religious freedom has evolved over time to become a crucial aspect of the United States of America. The settling of different cultures led to the free exercise and accommodation of divergent religious views instead of one religion assuming superiority over others. This led to the growth and diversity of the American society and some of the values held by the British colonialist such as love in marriage and prevailing of good over evil were incorporated in the modern American society (Wheatley 3-4).

Work Cited

BIBLIOGRAPHY Bradstreet, Anne. To My Husband and Other Poems. Courier Corporation, 2012.

Wheatley, Phillis. The Poems of Phillis Wheatley: With Letters and a Memoir. Courier Corporation, 2012.