Building a New Jerusalem

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the conflict between the Puritans and Native Americans regarding religious tolerance. It describes the history of the first settlers to the Americas in New England and their attitudes towards individuals who did not adhere to their doctrines. It also describes the attitudes of various leaders of the time and how the attitudes either changed or remained the same with the creation of the United States.

Table of Contents:
Introduction: The New Jerusalem
First Dealings, First Peace
Nathanial Ward: "Against Toleration"
John Wesley: A Cry Against Unchristian Bloodshed

From the Paper:

"Thus, although the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights may proclaim religious separation from all churches, America was actually founded by individuals seeking to create what today we would call a theocracy. Despite early amicable relations with the natives, eventually conflicts over territory caused the two populations to be hostile. The violence that ensued was justified by the religious rhetoric and beliefs of the Puritans, as they strove to create a New Jerusalem in a land that was inhabited by people whose civilization and faith they saw as inferior to their own, primitive at best, and savage at worst."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Atkins, Scott Eric. (2008) "Pilgrims and puritans." American Studies at the University of Virginia. Retrieved 25 Jan 2008 at http://xroads.virginia.edu/~CAP/puritan/purhist.html
• "Native Americans of North America." (2007). Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia Retrieved 25 Jan 2008 at http://encarta.msn.com
• "Religious tolerance in Colonial America (2008). Geocites. Retrieved 25 Jan 2008 at http://www.geocities.com/crownac/religious_tolerance.htm
• Ward, Nathanial. (1647). "Against toleration." E-text of American History Told by Contemporaries. Vol. 1. pp. 393-96. Retrieved 25 Jan 2008 at http://personal.pitnet.net/primarysources/ward.html
• Wesley, John. (1872). "A caution against bigotry." Reprint of complete sermons. Edited by Thomas Jackson, 1872. Retrieved 25 Jan 2008 at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/38/

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• Comparison Essay # 29752 : "A New Home - Who'll Follow?" and "The Pioneers"

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