A conflicted people: historical and social perspectives

¶ … colonial period was characterized by the tensions of creating a new world, while retaining the habits of their cultural and social traditions. One of the greatest conflicts within this period is how to retain control of Christian doctrine while settling within the new world. The majority of colonial era immigrants came to the United States to escape religious persecution. This was how the colonies of New England were founded and spread. As a result of their religious agenda in colonizing America, a strong social desire to maintain strict religious piety gripped the colonies. However, the influence of the new world and the changing cultural dynamics following such an immigration resulted in a transition from religious piety to the prosperity and tolerance of Colonial America. The below review will examine colonial period literature that deals with the conflict between the Christian community and cultural relaxation that occurred from the 17th to 18th centuries.

One of the most memorable records of the colonial period was written by Samuel Sewall in his narrative "Diary." Sewall was born in England at a transitory period within Colonial history. His diary recorded the events between 1674 o 1729, and is a lively and engaging narrative of life within colonial New England. Sewall's diary is especially significant because it portrays the transformation between a strict religious life of Puritanism within New England to a more worldly period of mercantile wealth. Sewall himself was a traditional Puritan and his writing style reflects that of his Puritan upbringing. However, it also shows through his content and his thought process the shifting nature of religious acceptance and life within the colonial period. Sewall's diary shows the conflict between Christian values and community concept and the emergence of a more liberal religious sect. He was elected in 1683 to the general courts of New England and was one of the judges during the Salem Which trials. Despite his agreement with the verdict at the time of the trial, Sewall famously accepted the "blame and shame" of his wrongdoing in 1697. His Diary accounts for the transition between his strong Puritan beliefs and the shift towards more laize faire application of his religious zeal and piety. His writings reveal a transition during the early 1700s towards a much more mercantile application of New Engladn life. His early narratives focus on the theme of religion and acceptance of God and his punishments within his life. However, as he ages, Sewall mentions less and less his religious piety and focuses on the two new essentials of community governance, politics and business. His Diary address the specific emergence of central issues within New England such as the rights of Native Americans and the emergence of African-American slavery within the colonies. His Diary reveals the conflicted nature of colonial life between maintaining a strong Puritan community and the transition towards commerce and governance as the key stakeholders of colonial governance. Sewall's narrative reveals how New England transformed from strictly Puritan "theocracy" to the financial and mercantile capital of the New World.

Another writer of great acclaim that symbolized the conflict between Christian communities and outsiders is Roger Williams. Roger Williams is perhaps best known for the founding of Rhode Island as a place that welcomed all persons of different religions. Williams was born into a strong Puritan family and was a minister within the colony before suffering a conflict of faith. His narrative "The Bloody Tenet of Persecution for Cause of Conscience," which strongly outlined his view of religious persecution. His narrative takes place during a period where religious dogmatism eventually changed towards tolerance. Through his direct actions, religious toleration expanded within new England as colonials recognized the need to create greater religious acceptance beyond Puritanism. In his essays, Roger Williams expresses his disgust at the inability of the colonies to deal with religious toleration. He is especially frustrated that Puritans, who were persecuted for their religious piety in England would do the same to condemn other religions in New England. He writes, "It is the will and command of God, that a permission of the most Paganish, Jewish, Turkish, or Antichrisitan consciences and worships, be granted to all men, in all nations" (Williams, npg). Williams identified the key contradiction within Puritan logic, the need to be strictly sectarian in the new world. When in fact, the concept of Colonialism depended on the granting of freedoms which could not be obtained within Europe. His essays defined the transition between the traditional views of Puritan dogmatism and the transformation into religious tolerance. In the end he was able to resolve such conflicts through the formation of Rhode Island and Pennsylvania, both bastions of religious freedom for diverse religious groups.