Growing Sense of Independence
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Growing Sense of Independence
The North American colonies were originally settled by colonists seeking a new life free from religious intolerance. Some colonies wanted the government and church to be separated. In New England, the close relationship between the government and church had become a problem. Three events that happened in N.A. colonies that illustrate a growing sense of independence are the Congregational Church, Roger Williams, and the Andros Revolution.
The Congregational Church was started by the Puritans of Boston where all freemen that belong to the church were able to vote. Although male church members could vote, women could not. In smaller towns, all male property holders were allowed to vote and participate in local government. The power of the preachers was not absolute. The congregation had the right to hire and fire its minister and to set his salary. The bay colonists endorsed the idea of separation of church and state. They passed laws to make sure that pleasures stayed simple by dominating certain human instincts.
Roger Williams fled to Rhode Island and built a Baptist Church where he established a place of complete freedom of religion. It also gave complete freedom for Jews and Catholics. He did not believe in church and government working together. He also demanded no oath of religious loyalty, no mandatory services, and no taxes to support the church. He set himself up in providence which became center for the outcasts and managed to achieve a remarkable freedom of opportunity.
Governor Andros who worked for the king was put in charged of oversight by London. Colonists strongly disliked him because of the way he controlled them especially by enforcing the Kings English Navigational Law. The colonists revolted and Andros was overthrown in order to clam the colonists, and relax the E.N.L., and to establish cooperation. Although he was strict about the laws, he was not strict when it comes to a religion. He allowed the people to drink and have some independence.
These events that illustrate the growing sense of independence simply show that most people do not want the church and government sharing powers. These people wanted to have their own rights and laws when it comes to religion. They do not want the king to rule over them and tell them what to do, or one church to have too much power over them. Freedom of religion is an important principle of