Freedom of Religion - Essay Example

14089 Freedom of Religion Changed in time drastic, a report '. '.. History April 15 2008 14089 2 Order 219378 Academic Research Test Assignment April 15 2008 Freedom of Religion Changed in time drastic, a report Freedom of Religion changed drastic over the years in the Colonies. Before the European came to America they obtained their own religion, but with the coming of the new pioneers and pilgrims a lot changed. In the period of the Religious wars in Europe many went to the new land to seek their religious freedom in America. From 1607 till now many came to build new settlements. Not to build the new perfect church as had happened in the UK (Church of England) but to establish to worship freely. For the Native there was a lot to achieved from this. Since the Spanish and French they where confronted with the force upon them to be baptized as Catholic. Therefor many events happened over the centuries to regain the religious freedom as we know it today. We can find them in the following headings: 1. Native Americans and the European religions; 2. Pilgrims arrive in the Colonies of America; 3. Bill of Rights, the freedom of religion in the First Amendment; 4. Freedom of religion today; Native Americans and the European religions In 1492 Columbus discovered America and he created a new future in the entire continent. Ruvolo (2008) names his coming is market as the 14089 3 beginning of a massive white invasion. An invasion that would consume the entire continent for many centuries. Ruvolo (2008) also names the domination from the Christians as important bringing into the New World. The first mayor struggles appeared after bringing in the new religions. We all know the first Catholic rules, the Spanish, forced the religion upon the Native Americans whether they liked it or not. The Church ruled those days not only in Europe but also in the new found Colonies. The force upon the Natives was drastic, Ruvolo (2008) explains that within four hundred years of their first contact with, the white men had succeeded in stripping Native American civilizations of virtually all of their land. He also states that the white men wiped out most of their culture. If you can reconsider the facts it is not short from Genocide. They suffered hard under the strict religious regimes. Tribes where separated, they had no skills to write down their own history and white men to advantage of it. The history written by the white men most of the times makes it difficult to obtain information the religions of the Native Americans. Many of the knowledge is lost. Ruvolo (2008) mentions in his article the Iroquois as one Nation that had A highly intelligent culture, well organized that where living as well in the South Colonies as the North Colonies. Ruvolo (2008) calls them as surpassed in greatness only by the advanced civilizations as the Mayas, Aztecs and the Incas. There religion was based on the High Spirit and evil was not denied. Their rituals contained worship services which occurred in according seasonal periods over the year. The religion saved them from being wiped out because of the similarities. It is a rare sample. 14089 4 Pilgrims arrive in the Colonies of America After the Spanish, the English and the French the first settlers arrived around 1620. A journey taken by the pilgrims in a search for the perfect religion that could indeed satisfy the need of the people. In Europe wars drove the believers other then Catholic to the New World. While Marten Luther had translated the Bible, the Catholic where totally against the knowledge obtained from the translation. Europe tore apart when people could read for themselves. The article of Students from the University of North Carolina (2001) takes us to the first settlers, the Quakers and the Puritans who started the first thirteen Colonies based on their religious beliefs. They wanted to escape persecution yet some of it already happened in the Colonies. The Students (2001) continue that the persecution where mainly obtained by the Puritans that fined, banished, whipped or imprisoned if you would not live according to their ways and rules. With the arrival of the Quakers later around 1656 the path was paved for those of other Religions who wanted to live in the Colonies. The Anglican of course where already part of the Colonies, consider the English to be one of the first in the Region. They where part of those persecuted by the Puritans. When the path was paved more religions came like more Roman Catholic, Baptist, Protestants. Later the German Lutherans and the Presbyterians came. The Students (2001) mark the coming as the diversity of Religions taking over and being the dominant role in the New World. Native American had no saying in this part of history. It was a take it or leave it situations, most where killed in this century of immigration. They name the Colonies a patchwork of religious communities. The result' An enormous increase of 14089 5 the population. The freedom of religion was the drive behind the immigration to the New World. The Act Concerning Religion of 1649, after the forming of the Cambridge Platform established in the 1640's, is considered to be one of the greatest additions to the freedom of Religion in America. It was later included in the political documents of Massachusetts Proposals and Adopting Act of 1729. Of course it became an important Amendment in the Bill of Rights, freedom of Religion. Bill of Rights, the freedom of religion in the First Amendment Olmstead (1960) teaches us that the issue of church and state became important topic in the debate. In the Constitution of 1777 the separation of church and state became a fact. Of course numerous groups opposed against it. Olmstead (1960) quotes a Congregationalist minister: "It was a dark a day as ever I saw". The quote is longer then this, but the first sentence says it all how they felt. It was difficult to give it up. But it was needed. Today we find in the First Amendment the exact words: " Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. - The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution It was written as an inception to protect the freedom of the citizen is what we find on the website of the First Amendment Center (2008). It continues in naming it a blueprint to protect the personal freedom in speech, religion, press, assembly and petition. Without the protection persecution can take place. The Bill of Rights was later adapted in the signed Constitution of 1787. It went 14089 6 into effect in 1791 on December 15. The words of James Madison are those who everybody knows in the U.S. today. Freedom of religion today The students (2001) call religion an important aspect in the colonization of America in their article. No doubt a fact. The dominance of the religions created a freedom of religion not known anywhere in the world. Even events like the Witch Trials in Salem in the 1690's and the Great Awaking of the 1730's dit not change it. It even increased the influence of religion. America received the status of the country for religious refugees from all over the world. However despite the great freedom there is on group who lost the freedom without having a change to obtain it. The Native Americans. Therefor the beginning to search for the freedom of religion to find the perfect religion started with one of the biggest Genocide among the people who had lived in the New World already for over thousands of years. Today we should think of this more often. We believe in freedom due to many wars where the pilgrims fled for as a refugee, and regarding the fears in Europe and other parts in the World, the pilgrims had no other meaning then their persecutors. To live in freedom, with their religion, they created another war'' Remember those for ever, and remember those who dared to speak up for their faith. 14089 7 Works cited Ruvolo, D. (2008). A Summary of Native American Religions. Retrieved April 15, 2008, from Are As WVU education Web site: http://are.as.wvu.edu/ruvolo.htm Students, University of North Carolina at Pembroke (2001). Religion in Colonial America. Retrieved April 15 2008, from Colonial America 1607-1783 Web site: http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/16071783/religion.htm Olmstead, Clifton E. History of Religion in the United States. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1960. First Amendment Center. (2008). About the First Amendment . Retrieved April 15, 2008, from First Amendment Center U.S. Constitution Web site: http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/about.aspx'item=about_firstamd Read More