Regardless of race ethnicity, human beings are spiritual and social beings who do recognize the presence of absolute authority in their lives.
Nations of the world, no matter how they call their Gods did in part or generally were shaped with the help of their beliefs, traditions and religions. Even America and England seen as powerful nations of the world today had a time in its history that they depend solely on religion in for survival. This only means that religion, like most nations, played a vital role in the building New England and its colonies specifically as powerful social and political tool.During the colonial period, American colonies bitterly experience religious discrimination and persecution.
What was sad about it was that religion was misused and abused as a weapon for influential people to inflict pain to their enemies and have used religion in forcing the people to obey. Colonial America has variety of religions including that of Puritanism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Christianity and other religious denominations which somehow had serve as refuge for those who are trying to escape from the pangs of religious persecution.Because England would like to have one united religion, Puritans resorted to violent behaviors in order to force followers of other religions to adhere to their beliefs. No one was exempted, not even women because some of them too were hanged and mutilated for refusing to follow. England did not however approach the spread of religious beliefs the harsh way at first.
In fact, religion was introduced to the colonies as catchy as possible in order to invite membership.It just so happened that the members of other religions which have already been established in the colonies when the British arrived stood to their beliefs and faith. Others were just being dismayed for having been victims of violence and abuse by the known leaders and other followers of the English religion. Religion therefore became a threat to the colonies: a threat to their lives and properties and of course to their faith. The people of the colonies developed some kind of fear over religion instead of religion providing them with comfort and strength during those hard times.On the other hand, religion was powerfully used the British Parliament in invading other colonies.
Religion was used not only for the pure reasons of religious intents but as an effective political tool for motivating people to come closer to God and serve the government in the name of the will of the Lord. For most of the history of colonial America and British invasion, religion made it possible for the latter to establish its territories using religion as forerunner.Disguised in the meek face of religiosity, the New England in time got politically stronger, religiously violent and a proud agent of relinquishing freedom of faith. It is however important to note that religion have also turned out somehow into few good things on both parties. One good thing is that religion somehow served as disciplinary measure the British parliament that instead of politically handling the responsibility of monitoring untoward behaviors, the church personally handled such task in their own levels.
Another is that the British through religion made it easier for them to conquer the beliefs and traditions the colonies and not just winning their territories. Lastly, despite the fact that religious leaders have abused their powers, there are those who have used religion as a channel for distributing and providing the services meant for the people, few good examples of which are education, health and social services which are coordinated through the local church. Summing it up, religion served both as powerful tools for establishing New England and of shaping the culture of its people.
