Religious Tolerance

Religious tolerance in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries was very rare. However, there were many people and movements that led to an increase in tolerance and protection for all different religions. Among the many influential people of this time, John Winthrop, Roger Williams, and the Puritans stand out. Another major reason for the increase of toleration is the Maryland Toleration Act. People came to the colonies in search of religious freedom and the right to express themselves freely. Eventually, over time they got it. Some people, who were pushed out of England because of the lack of space, attempted to keep the ways of England. Despite the many obstacles and controversies many determined people stopped at nothing to achieve what they believed to be right. John Winthrop was the leader of the Puritans and a founding figure to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Winthrop thought of the Massachusetts Bay Colony as a “City on the Hill” because they were to serve as an example for other colonies to look up to. His theory was correct; Massachusetts’ religious nature was very influential to the formation of other colonies surrounding them. Winthrop wanted to establish a pure church that would influence the churches of England. Although the churches of England didn’t change much, he succeeded in purifying the churches of the New England. Two of Winthrop’s enemies were Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams. They challenged the Puritans and preached against them, causing them to be banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Puritans strongly disagreed with the views of the Church of England. Their goal was to purify the church from the inside out, but as some grew tired of their ways many broke away from the church. Their leader, John Winthrop, wanted to set examples for other. They also wanted to eliminate the hierarchy. They attempted to set a biblical commonwealth by combining church and state. The Puritans were often challenged by multiple people and