Religious Freedom Before 1700

Religious Tolerance in the 1700s

The British North American colonies intended that they have religious tolerance for all the people living in the colonies, yet this factored from colony to colony because of the different thoughts and beliefs of settlers living there. For example, in Rhode Island and Pennsylvania religious freedom was allowed to anyone. On the other hand, Massachusetts was strongly against committing to any other religion besides Roman Catholic.
Rhode Island can be accounted for as the most tolerant for various religions. This colony was founded by the man Roger Williams. He realized that people should have liberty and right to do as they choose in life. One could practice any faith they wanted and preach to any God they longed to believe in. Unlike other colonies, they were not confided to remain as Roman Catholics. Soon this began to become the colony for all those roaming souls who were outcasts of neighboring colonies. In a sense, Rhode Island brought ...