As later cries for reform and renewal took place, further splintering occurred among the Methodists, Pentecostals, Fundamentalists and Adventists, each bearing a diminished resemblance to their original parents.Įvangelism has played an integral part in the history of religion in America, from colonial times to the present, while its methods of dissemination have changed dramatically.
Such calls to “purify” the Anglican Church led to the birthing of the Baptists and Congregationalists in America.
Reforms were brought by the Puritans to the American colonies. Those religious parents gave birth to the next wave of Christian denominations.
A spiritualism timelime free#
In later attempts to free themselves from the tie of the state governmental system imposed by the Church of England (Anglican Church), such denominations as the Reformed-Presbyterian churches and the European Free Church were formed. King Henry VIII founded the Church of England, owing to disagreements regarding papal authority. Religious persecution and iron-fisted rule by state-affiliated Christianity in Europe began to loosen its hold in the 16th century when, for the sake of debate, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenburg, Germany. As white colonists drove Indians onto reservations, the fervency of their religious practices increased, even as Christian missionaries made inroads that influenced their spirituality. Elaborate rituals and such dances as the Sundance, Round, Snake, Crow, Ghost and others were developed and led by such native leaders as Wodiziwob, Wovoka, Black Elk, Big Foot, Sitting Bull, and others. Across America, such Indian tribes as The Algonquians, The Iroquois, Sioux, and the Seminoles worshiped the Great Spirit, who could be found in animals as well as inanimate objects. The role of religion among American Indiansįor untold generations before Europeans came to America, native peoples celebrated the bounty given to them by the Great Spirit. Such has been the winding road of religious evolution in America. Its history includes the emergence of Utopian Experiments, religious fanaticism, and opening the door to such exotic religions as Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Taoism. That fact alone expresses America’s willingness to experiment with the novel and a defiance of tradition. was the first western nation to be founded predominately by Protestants - not Roman Catholics. The splintering of Christianity resulted in more than 900 denominations of that faith currently existing in the United States, of which the vast majority of Americans are members. That guarantee was enshrined in the First Amendment to the Constitution (text) as, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” That civil unrest fueled the desire of America’s forefathers to establish the organization of a country in which the separation of church and state, and the freedom to practice one’s faith without fear of persecution, was guaranteed. Europeans came to America to escape religious oppression and forced beliefs by such state-affiliated Christian churches as the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England. The issue of religious freedom has played a significant role in the history of the United States and the remainder of North America.
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