The Power of Faith

Religion was one of several important motives for colonization. There were many different beliefs, which led to the establishment of colonies for religious purposes. Many governments were ran off of a religious belief, causing religion to play a major role in the establishment of English colonies in North America.
Two major religions were protestanism and catholicism, while other colonies offered religious toleration. Protestants are seperate from the Roman Catholic church according to the Reformation and Catholicism is of the Roman Catholic religion. Religious toleration is the allowance of difference in religious opinion without discrimination.
Many colonies were established for religious purposes such as Plymouth and Maryland. Plymouth became a colonie when seperatist didnt believe that the church of England was changing fast enough. Forty one male passengers among the Mayflower signed a solem pledge known as the Mayflower Compact. Some believe this to be the first American Constitution. Maryland was concieved as a refuge for Catholics by Lord Baltimore in 1649. Maryland also guaranteed religious toleration.
Many governments were ran off of there religious belief. One example of this would be the Massachusetts Bay Colony which started out as a commercial adventure, but soon developed into a theocracy. The church was in supreme authority over all decisions. A woman by the name of Ann Hutchinson dared to defy the the beliefs of the government by stating that she had a direct connnection with God. She was therefore banished and accused of being unfit for their society.
Religion affected these colonies in some of the most drastic ways, whether it was through government, establishment, or just the religion itself. Religion was of much importance and guided the lives of everyday people. This goes to show the power of faith