PS 202 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Religious Pluralism, Mainline Protestant, Moral Authority
29 Sep 2016
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Document Summary
To explain the effects of religion on american political and cultural development, The puritans, a religious minority in england, viewed the established anglican church as corrupt and theologically backward. In an effort to purify the church and escape religious persecution, many puritans came to america (especially new england). Above all, the puritans sought religious liberty and the ability to practice their faith without interference from the crown or church. Puritan doctrine was premised upon the notion of equality among all individuals, both politically and theologically: protestant belief in the priesthood of all believers , belief that people require no mediator between themselves and god. Strict civil laws were viewed as liberating rather than oppressive. They were believed to free people from the slavery of sin. Though perhaps unintentionally, religion in colonial america taught citizens about the principles and practice of democracy. The organizational structure of congregational churches (i. e. self-governing parishes) nurtured the growth of self-governing communities.
