Religious Intolerance In Colonial America

In the seventeen century, the concept of religious tolerance was very vague in England. The separation of the church and state was unacceptable. However, in spite of the power of the king was unquestionable, the Church of England could adjudicate and punish anyone who doubted or did not follow the beliefs of the church. Many dissenters from the Church of England were searching for a place where they can freely profess their own religion. Ultimately, they ventured to immigrate to America. Although the British colonies in America were still under King’s authority, those colonists were enjoying their freedom. However, despite the attempts to convey their religion to a new land new settlers did not give a significant role to religious tolerance.

Many British colonies tried to impose rigorous observance of the religious norm by colony governments and local town authorities. In point of fact, many religious groups were absolutely intolerant to other religious views and forms of disobedience. This paper is going to illustrate the tension between religious tolerance and intolerance in colonial America and the various approaches to freedom of religion.
Most of the British settlers presented themselves as Christians, however, they did not adhere to the concept of religious solidarity.

Instead, distinguishing one Christian group from the other they piously believed that their own religious practice was the purest and faultless. Among colonists, Puritans had one of the most fanatical views on the concept of their religion. Despite Puritan settlers themselves have been persecuted by the Church of England, religious intolerance manifested itself in many aspects among the colonists. For instance, Roger Williams, New England’s most prominent advocate of religious toleration was banished by the Puritan leaders of the colony of Massachusetts for contradicting with the Puritan Church regulations and dissemination of “new” and “anti-puritan” ideas to his congregants. Perry Miller stood for the idea that religious tolerance and esteem should take place in society for peaceful coexistence “none of the papists, Protestants, Jews or Turks, be forced to come to the ship’s prayers or worship, if they practice any (#12, p.40)." Roger Williams's ideology of the religious tolerance found a response in the hearts of many people who were searching for "freedom of conscience"—the freedom to believe and preach as they wished. Williams endorsed everyone, Jews, and Catholics, Quakers and atheists, even when he disagreed with their religion. In the colonial period, the religion played the role of the cudgel in suppressing and discriminating

“dissidents” and “heathens” natives.
The Puritan movement relied on traditional tactics connected with patriarchal ideals.

It is important to note that the Puritans emphasized the spiritual freedom of man and divine predestination. One of the main ideas of Puritanism was freedom of religion and thought, but this freedom was sharply limited when it came to family values, morality, and religious tolerance. As a result, the existing controversy was reflected on the trials of Anne Hutchinson. Along with Roger Williams, the person who disagreed with the Anglican church was Anne Hutchinson. In her view, compliance with the external laws of the colony was not enough to make a person become a real Christian. Tomas Hutchinson “ The Examination of Mrs. Ann Hutchinson at the court of New Town”: “Being much troubled to see the falseness of the constitution of the Church of England, I had like to have turned Separatist. Whereupon I kept a day of solemn humiliation and pondering of the thing; this scripture was brought unto me…” She called for a pious life, relying on the preaching on her own knowledge of the Bible. This action undermined the authority of the priests and their "true" interpretation of the Bible. Anne’s Hutchinson career showed how the Puritan belief in different ability the interpret the Bible could easily be punished by government

establishment.
One of the first references to modern democracy and religious tolerance was born in the in Maryland state. The colony's legislature passed an Act of Toleration that granted religious freedom to all who believed in the Trinity and that Jesus was the son of God. William H. Browne declared "...no person or persons whatever in the Province… professing to believe in Jesus Christ, shall from henceforth be any ways troubled, molested or discountenanced for or in respect his or her religion against his or her consent (#9, p.28)." Furthermore, mockery at other believers or calling them names such as “papist,” “heretic,” or “Puritan” considered as a crime. The Maryland Act concerning religion granted more religious freedom for the citizens of Maryland than in most of Britain’s colonies. It was a significant stepping stone to the religious freedom and tolerance which later became one of the most important features of the United States.
In colonial America, the concept of religious tolerance was substantial but often distorted or misunderstood. Religious freedom developed only after a long period of time. It is interesting to mention that those groups such as the Pilgrims and Puritans who left Europe to escape religious persecution often were intolerant of religious diversity themselves once they established the colony in America. Freedom, religious tolerance, and democracy did not emerge immediately. These rights and the institutions have been established and developed as part of the American political tradition in the course of time.