Pre-Colonial Religion in America
Each Native American culture is different and because of that each culture's religion was also different. There are some commonalities though. All religions have more than one god or goddess and they all have to do with nature in some way or another. Each tribe had their own ways of worship, but most of them incorporated dance and songs. During these worship times the uses of special instruments was also utilized.
http://www.indians.org/articles/native-american-religion.html
http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/eighteen/ekeyinfo/natrel.htm
Here are some individual Native American Tribes
http://www.cherokee.org/AboutTheNation/Culture/General/TheTraditionalBeliefSystem.aspx
http://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Religion_in_Early_Virginia_Indian_Society
http://siouxpoet.tripod.com/id14.html
http://nativeamericans.mrdonn.org/southwest/puebloreligion.html
http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Le-Pa/Nez-Perc.html
http://www.indians.org/articles/native-american-religion.html
http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/eighteen/ekeyinfo/natrel.htm
Here are some individual Native American Tribes
http://www.cherokee.org/AboutTheNation/Culture/General/TheTraditionalBeliefSystem.aspx
http://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Religion_in_Early_Virginia_Indian_Society
http://siouxpoet.tripod.com/id14.html
http://nativeamericans.mrdonn.org/southwest/puebloreligion.html
http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Le-Pa/Nez-Perc.html
Colonial
Many reasons brought Europeans to the New World. Hint of treasures, land, colonization, and religious freedom. Even though there were some people that came to the New World for a chance at a different life that did not always stop them from trying to force their beliefs on others. Not everyone did this but there were a few cases and the consequences for a change in what one believed could be severe depending on what religion someone belonged to.
Maryland- Catholics
Massachusetts Bay Colony- Puritans
Rode Island- Religious Tolerance
Pennsylvania- Quakers
http://www.ushistory.org/us/5a.asp
http://www.ushistory.org/us/3c.asp
http://www.ushistory.org/gov/2a.asp
http://www2.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/16071783/religion.htm
Maryland- Catholics
Massachusetts Bay Colony- Puritans
Rode Island- Religious Tolerance
Pennsylvania- Quakers
http://www.ushistory.org/us/5a.asp
http://www.ushistory.org/us/3c.asp
http://www.ushistory.org/gov/2a.asp
http://www2.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/16071783/religion.htm
The Great Awakening
The Great Awakening was a re-visitation of religion. It was started by Johnathan Edwards. A common way of getting the message across during this time would be geared toward creating fear in the crowd that was gathered. One result of this was greater religious tolerance. The most well known speech from The Great Awakening is Jonathan Edwards' "Sinners in the hands of an Angry God."
Important Names:
Johnathan Edwards
John Calvin
George Whitefield
Gilbert Tennent
http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/eighteen/ekeyinfo/grawaken.htm
http://www.ushistory.org/us/7b.asp
Important Names:
Johnathan Edwards
John Calvin
George Whitefield
Gilbert Tennent
http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/eighteen/ekeyinfo/grawaken.htm
http://www.ushistory.org/us/7b.asp
The Second Great Awakening and Utopian Societies
Began in 1801 at Cane Ridge, Kentucky, this was the first "camp meeting". As time went on, things became more organized. Emphasis was on personal salvation, an emotional response to God's grace, and individualistic faith. Women and African Americans also played a big part in the movement. This movement also helped with the beginning of Utopian societies.
Utopian Societies:
Harmony Society- three attempts made, New Harmony, Indiana most notable
Shakers- founded by Mother Ann Lee, complete celibacy
Oneida Community- focus on religion but also agricultural and industrial work
http://www.ushistory.org/us/22c.asp
http://www.nyhistory.com/central/oneida.htm
Utopian Societies:
Harmony Society- three attempts made, New Harmony, Indiana most notable
Shakers- founded by Mother Ann Lee, complete celibacy
Oneida Community- focus on religion but also agricultural and industrial work
http://www.ushistory.org/us/22c.asp
http://www.nyhistory.com/central/oneida.htm
Abolitionism
The abolition movement came out of the Great Awakening. The resurgence in religion brought people back to thinking about the injustice of slavery. Groups like the American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society were formed to combat slavery. There was not always a unified idea of what needed to be done. As a result of this there were a few break-offs from different groups. There were missionary groups that went down to where slavery was taking place. However, the African Americans were not always treated the same as the others in the religious communities. There were many African Americans that converted to different religions. The plantation owners did not always like the fact that the African Americans were going to church. Some used religion as an excuse for slavery as well as a way to keep the African Americans in order.
http://americanabolitionist.liberalarts.iupui.edu/brief.htm
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/slavery/experience/religion/history.html
http://americanabolitionist.liberalarts.iupui.edu/brief.htm
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/slavery/experience/religion/history.html
Mormons
Founded by Joseph Smith in 1830 in New York. Smith was praying to God to figure out what church he should join if any and was visited by God and Jesus. He was told that the church that Jesus had set up was no longer on this earth. It became Smith's mission to restore the church. He continued this mission for 10 years during which he was visited by other messengers and was able to copy the Book of Mormon. It officially became a church on April 6, 1830. The church ( also called the Church of the Later Day Saints) began to grow rapidly however that did not make things easier for those that became Mormons. The Mormons eventually mostly in The Great Salt Lake area. Smith was killed by a mob in 1847 and Brigham Young took over as the new leader. Mormons are known for family values, healthy living, and temples which can be found throughout the world.
http://www.mormonhistoryassociation.org/mormonism
http://www.mormon.org/faq/founder-of-mormon-church
http://www.mormonhistoryassociation.org/mormonism
http://www.mormon.org/faq/founder-of-mormon-church
Atheism
Atheism- archaic: ungodliness, wickedness
2. a: a disbelief in the existence of deity
b: the doctrine that their is no deity
The idea of atheism came about after Darwin concluded that there was evolution that took place. Darwin was not an atheist but his concepts of evolution are what sparked the spread of atheism.
Scopes trail- John T. Scopes against a Tennessee State Law
Scopes taught about evolution in a Tennessee classroom, a state that had a law against the teaching of evolution.
http://www.ushistory.org/us/47b.asp
Catholics do not disagree with evolution. However it can be taken to extremes, such as saying that because there is evolution that is proof that there is no God or higher power. The concept has brought some over to the side of atheism.
2. a: a disbelief in the existence of deity
b: the doctrine that their is no deity
The idea of atheism came about after Darwin concluded that there was evolution that took place. Darwin was not an atheist but his concepts of evolution are what sparked the spread of atheism.
Scopes trail- John T. Scopes against a Tennessee State Law
Scopes taught about evolution in a Tennessee classroom, a state that had a law against the teaching of evolution.
http://www.ushistory.org/us/47b.asp
Catholics do not disagree with evolution. However it can be taken to extremes, such as saying that because there is evolution that is proof that there is no God or higher power. The concept has brought some over to the side of atheism.
Abortion
Margaret Sanger was a big spokes person for the use of contraceptives in the early 1910s. Stopes exchanged ideas with Sanger. There was a lot of controversy about contraceptives. They believed that contraceptives were vital for women's freedom
Planned Parenthood was founded by Margaret Sanger and has continued to be active since its founding.
Roe vs. Wade- case in which Roe was going up against a law in Texas that said that a pregnancy could not be terminated unless it was to save the mother's life. Roe won the case but a few years latter she became an advocate against abortions.
March for life- response to the Roe vs. Wade case. Marches for life are not just against abortions but is also trying to combat capital punishment, and euthanasia.
Catholics have come together with people from other religions to fight against this issue.
Catholics believe in the sanctity of all life no matter what that life is. According to Catholic beliefs life begins at conception. Everyone has their own gifts to give and it is not up to others to decide when or if someone should die.
There are also some inconsistencies with what the government says about the start of life. If you want an abortion the unborn child is called an embryo, but if something happens like a pregnant mother is killed, than the murderer is charged with two counts of murder. How can these two things be consistent?
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/who-we-are/history-and-successes.htm
http://www.lawnix.com/cases/roe-wade.html
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/rights/landmark_roe.html
http://marchforlife.org/education/reasons-for-hope
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/abortion
http://www.priestsforlife.org/magisterium/catechismonabortion.htm
Planned Parenthood was founded by Margaret Sanger and has continued to be active since its founding.
Roe vs. Wade- case in which Roe was going up against a law in Texas that said that a pregnancy could not be terminated unless it was to save the mother's life. Roe won the case but a few years latter she became an advocate against abortions.
March for life- response to the Roe vs. Wade case. Marches for life are not just against abortions but is also trying to combat capital punishment, and euthanasia.
Catholics have come together with people from other religions to fight against this issue.
Catholics believe in the sanctity of all life no matter what that life is. According to Catholic beliefs life begins at conception. Everyone has their own gifts to give and it is not up to others to decide when or if someone should die.
There are also some inconsistencies with what the government says about the start of life. If you want an abortion the unborn child is called an embryo, but if something happens like a pregnant mother is killed, than the murderer is charged with two counts of murder. How can these two things be consistent?
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/who-we-are/history-and-successes.htm
http://www.lawnix.com/cases/roe-wade.html
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/rights/landmark_roe.html
http://marchforlife.org/education/reasons-for-hope
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/abortion
http://www.priestsforlife.org/magisterium/catechismonabortion.htm
Gay Marriage
June 28, 1969, the Stonewall Uprising took place. During this time homosexuality was considered an mental illness. All states except for Illinois had laws against homosexuality. New York had the greatest population of people that were homosexual and at the same time had the harshest laws against it. For those that were homosexual this time was a nightmare. Arrests for homosexuality was a common occurrence however things went wrong on June 28, 1969 at the Stonewall Inn. The patrons fought back against the police. When others heard about this they came to support the patrons of the inn. There were riots that lasted for the next 6 days. On the 1 year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising the first Gay Pride Parade took place. Those taking part were terrified of what could happen, however as they went through the parade other people joined in and added their support. This has lead to more parades like this. These parades last a week long and have many different attractions. In today's world, the issue that is coming up is whether or not homosexuals can marry. This is where many arguments come up. Arguments include: What can the government control about marriage? What is marriage?, and many more.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/blog/2011/06/09/pride-parade/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/introduction/stonewall-intro/
http://www.civilrights.org/archives/2009/06/449-stonewall.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/blog/2011/06/09/pride-parade/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/introduction/stonewall-intro/
http://www.civilrights.org/archives/2009/06/449-stonewall.html
Many different religions do not agree with homosexuals being allowed to marry. To many, marriage is between a man and woman, not a man and man or woman and woman. When homosexuality first became obvious to the world, there might have been some religious groups that did not understand homosexuality and did not treat them properly. As stated before, it was originally seen as a mental illness. Today, most religions do not have a problem with homosexual,s but instead have the problem of changing the definition of marriage. The Catholic religion for example, teaches that all including homosexuals should be treated with respect, justice, and pastoral care. Pope Francis is looking into gaining a better understanding of people that identify as homosexuals. What is interesting to note though are the statistics of the people in different religions that oppose and favor same-sex marriage.
http://www.pewforum.org/2012/07/31/two-thirds-of-democrats-now-support-gay-marriage-long-term-views-gay-marriage-adoption/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/10688421/Pope-says-Catholic-Church-should-not-dismiss-gay-marriage.html
http://www.americancatholic.org/News/Homosexuality/
http://www.pewforum.org/2012/07/31/two-thirds-of-democrats-now-support-gay-marriage-long-term-views-gay-marriage-adoption/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/10688421/Pope-says-Catholic-Church-should-not-dismiss-gay-marriage.html
http://www.americancatholic.org/News/Homosexuality/