Why was religion so important in 17th century America?

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Answer by shari
Submitted on 6/10/2004
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Religion was a very important factor for the colonists of the 'new world' because of the hardships that they experienced. It has been found throughout the centuries that when one experiences immense psychological and/or physical hardships, the 'latent sense', as Colin Wilson describes the sense of connection with something higher than ones self in his "The Occult," kicks in to high gear. Therefore, with a skewed sense of life and being, seventeenth century clergy may have, with the Salem Witch trials ad other religious misdemeanors, brought the latent sense past its normal bearings. This may even lend to an explanation of the Native American relations with colonists and the skewed perception colonists had with the Native Americans. William Bradford even described the Native Americans of Plymouth plantation as being of the devil, and the forest in which they live the devil's last hold upon the earth. This is, of course, not to excuse the decades of maltreatment of Native Americans, for as a Cherokee myself, I have felt my ancestors pain throughout my life. But it does at least give us a framework to judge the colonists views in all aspects of their daily life including religion.

Answer by answer by jay-ar
Submitted on 7/31/2006
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religion of course is very much important in any place in the world.it is because if we are alone in our faith were just like a sheep that when alone they would be out of place for sure......just like us when we have no religion when we are alone in our faith for sure we would be out of place....so for us not to out of place we must have a religion....to have a group of faith which would be heard by "God" easily because there are lot of people who calls for help...so for sure you would be heard by God easily....compare to somebody who prays alone.....it is said that the family that prays together stays together....and it is because of their faith.....then how much more the community.......

Answer by 1236nf48rmbq845tn83gv
Submitted on 3/15/2007
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Religion was a very important factor for the colonists of the 'new world' because of the hardships that they experienced. It has been found throughout the centuries that when one experiences immense psychological and/or physical hardships, the 'latent sense', as Colin Wilson describes the sense of connection with something higher than ones self in his "The Occult," kicks in to high gear. Therefore, with a skewed sense of life and being, seventeenth century clergy may have, with the Salem Witch trials ad other religious misdemeanors, brought the latent sense past its normal bearings. This may even lend to an explanation of the Native American relations with colonists and the skewed perception colonists had with the Native Americans. William Bradford even described the Native Americans of Plymouth plantation as being of the devil, and the forest in which they live the devil's last hold upon the earth. This is, of course, not to excuse the decades of maltreatment of Native Americans, for as a Cherokee myself, I have felt my ancestors pain throughout my life. But it does at least give us a framework to judge the colonists views in all aspects of their daily life including religion.

Answer by 1325cn982ny5q9p8n35fv
Submitted on 3/15/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Religion was a very important factor for the colonists of the 'new world' because of the hardships that they experienced. It has been found throughout the centuries that when one experiences immense psychological and/or physical hardships, the 'latent sense', as Colin Wilson describes the sense of connection with something higher than ones self in his "The Occult," kicks in to high gear. Therefore, with a skewed sense of life and being, seventeenth century clergy may have, with the Salem Witch trials ad other religious misdemeanors, brought the latent sense past its normal bearings. This may even lend to an explanation of the Native American relations with colonists and the skewed perception colonists had with the Native Americans. William Bradford even described the Native Americans of Plymouth plantation as being of the devil, and the forest in which they live the devil's last hold upon the earth. This is, of course, not to excuse the decades of maltreatment of Native Americans, for as a Cherokee myself, I have felt my ancestors pain throughout my life. But it does at least give us a framework to judge the colonists views in all aspects of their daily life including religion.

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Question by nikki c
Submitted on 3/9/2004
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Why was religion so important in 17th century America?

Answer by Lynette
Submitted on 7/6/2004
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Why was religion si important in the 17th centuries?

Answer by asdsds
Submitted on 6/5/2005
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