to what extent, & why did religious toleration increase in american colonies during the 17th & 18th centuries?

Answer 1

The colonies had rather different levels of religious toleration, and different denominations were prominent in different states. So as the idea grew of becoming one nation, a policy of tolerance became necessary. How could the colonies have worked together to throw off British rule if they had been busy sniping at one another over religion? Once their independence was won, it became pretty clear that unless there was a strong (Constitutional) wall of separation between church and state, the United States would not long survive.

I still believe that we will not long survive if that wall is breached. It is too much under attack now as it is. We need a government that goes back to sticking to the Constitution. It is the supreme law of the land, and must be if we are to continue to be the UNITED states.

Answer 2

There wasn't an increase in toleration but self preservation.. This is why there were separate colonies with separate sects united against a common enemy: Indians, French, and finally British.

With the US Constitution, you will see the underlying American Civil Religion evolve. However, even today you will see the differences.

Answer: You not increase when the 19th and 20th centuries remain intolerate.

Answer 3

Revisionist history. I took a real history class from a legitimate school and got the real scoop -- the middle ages really were a long period of anti-intellectualism. The so-called reevaluation you're speaking of has only happened among Catholic historians with an agenda. And the "dark ages" was still used as a phrase when I went to university in the 90s.

Answer 4

Establishment of Rhode Island, then Pennsylvania where freedom of conscious was a right.

The adoption of the Bill of Rights by the United States.

Obadiah Holmes a distant relative of Abraham Lincoln was arrested and whipped by Protestants for being a Baptist Preacher in Massachusetts. Non-catholic non-protestants have always sought safe havens to preach the gospel.

Answer 5

Not sure what toleration is, Bush, but tolerance increased because of an idea that a national religion, where citizens are forced to practice one religion, was looked at as wrong. We desire freedoms instead, but we still endorsed christianity, as proven in the fact that christianity is woven so deeply into the fabric of this nation, even today. (It's only been in the last couple decades that a bunch of liberal lawyers and judges have tried to erase our nation's christian heritage, and pretend it never existed, and pretend that somehow our constitution forbids the "free practice thereof".

Answer 6

As more 'religions' immigrated to this country, and had to learn to co-exist with each other, religions learned to tolerate each other.

It was necessary to co-operate in order to carve out an existence in a new land.

As the living became easier, religions grew apart. And Religious Bigotry re-asserted itself.

Answer 7

I read a book called "Smokescreens" a long time ago. It's pretty brutally graphic and possibly biased, so ,if you read it , take it with a grain of salt. But it may answer your questions. I don't recommend it to the tenderhearted.