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Puritans & Quakers Rule The Land
Between 1700-1740 approximately 75% of colonists attended churches. Most were Puritans or Quakers. Puritans believed that the belief in Jesus predestined one to heaven, but practiced strict guidelines and rigorously structured worship. They resided in many areas in New England including Virginia and Massachusetts. Quakers, mainly in Pennsylvania believed mainly in pacifism and lived relatively simple lives. They also believed in the fair treatment of all people. -
The First Great Awakening
Colonists had previously viewed worship as repetitive.In the 1730-40’s The Great Awakening occurred.New passionate speakers like John Edwards toured with frightening sermons that caused colonists to rethink their beliefs.Edwards famous sermon titled “Sinners in the hands of an angry God” frightened many listeners & introduced them idea of the wrath of God.His famous sermon with quotes like "unconverted men walk over the pit of hell on a rotten covering” made colonists reexamine their beliefs. -
U.S. Army Employs Chaplains in Revolutionary War
During the revolutionary war, the US Army begins hiring chaplains for the spiritual care of their soldiers, a tradition that still stands today. These pastors were said to rally and encourage the troops. The Chaplains are now the 2nd oldest branch of the US Army, 2nd only to the infantry. -
Declaration of Independence
The signing of the Declaration of Independence is the beginning of our start as a sovereign nation. This document was signed by 54 US founding fathers including John Witherspoon, who was the only clergyman to sign. This document mentions God several times causing some to believe the US was founded as a Christian nation. However it also mentions the equal treatment of all leading some to believe the US was founded on the idea of freedom of religion. This dilemma still continues today. -
The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
This bill passed in 1786 largely by Thomas Jefferson was the official disestablishment of the Anglican Church as the official state religion. This is considered by many to be the beginning of the freedom of religion within the United States of America. In fact quotes such as "That our civil rights have no dependence on our religious opinions any more than our opinions in physics or geometry" stated in the bill demonstrate a very modern way of thinking. -
The Second Great Awakening
The second great awakening is characterized as a movement from Anglican to Evangelical churches. This time movement is well known for their large camp revivals, most famously the Cane Ridge Revival by preacher Barton Stone in Summer 1801 that gathered over 20,000 people in Kentucky. This change in religion was likely made possible due to loosening restrictions on state religion and freedoms that came with it. It was described at the time as "a religious flame that spread all over Kentucky".
