Summary:
Religions and Their Activities in the Colonies
1600-1700s
This topic combines information from the 1600s and 1700s: Summary of English Religions (Pre-1700s)
|
Religious Group |
Major Traits |
Where in the Colonies |
Roman Catholicism |
Sacraments; priesthood; hierarchical administration |
|
Church of England |
Roman Catholic sacraments, simplified and reformed; uses Book of Common Prayer; hierarchical administration (English) |
|
Separatists |
Calvinist; separate from the Church of England; Congregationalist administration (The word Congregationalist means that male church members of the congregation have a vote. Since church and government are one, that also means they vote in governmental decisions. In English law, to vote a man must have property such as land.) |
|
Puritans |
Calvinist; purify the Church of England; Congregationalist administration (See the explanation of the word Congregationalist above.) |
|
Quakers |
Christian; pacifists; egalitarians and believe all people are equal (thus the “thee” and “thou”); rejection of church administration and church buildings |
|
Additional
Religious Groups (Post-1700s)
|
Religious Group |
Major Traits |
Where in the Colonies |
French Huguenots |
Calvinists who left |
|
Dutch Reformed |
Calvinists |
|
Moravians and Mennonites (included the Amish) |
Frequently classified as similar to Quakers (They were pacifists and rejected oaths.) |
|
Scottish Presbyterian (Scotch Irish) |
Calvinists; Presbyterian church administration; settled
initially in |
Backcountry of Virginia and North Carolina (The word backcountry means the area of settlement closest to the Native Americans and thus most likely to be attacked. ) |
Copyright C. J. Bibus, Ed.D. 2003-2015 |
WCJC Department: |
History – Dr. Bibus |
Contact Information: |
281.239.1577 or bibusc@wcjc.edu |
Last Updated: |
2015 |
WCJC Home: |
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