Coming to America The New Jerusalem

“fulfillment of what Isaiah prophesied” Christopher Columbus wrote following his arrival in the New world in 1492: “With a hand that could be felt, the Lord opened my mind to the fact that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies.” – Precondition to Jesus’ return was conquest of Jerusalem from the Muslims – Gold from the New world help pay for the Christian warriors – Spread the Word to all four corners of the world with his discovery “The Gospel must now be proclaimed to so many lands in such a short time.” to Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand – (fear of Spanish control of the colonies helped England get serious about the settlement of the colonies)

King James Charter: Virginia 1606 The mission of the colony: “to promote Christianity to those living “in darkness and miserable ignorance of the true knowledge and worship in God” Clergy was supported by taxes and public funds: 10 pounds of tobacco and a bushel of corn/settler Catholic church was seen as a fraudulent faith 1604 Virginia prohibited Catholics from holding office unless they took an oath of allegiance and supremacy to the Church of England

Pilgrims and Puritans Pilgrims-Plymouth Puritans-Massachusetts Bay – Goal; promote Protestanism not Christianity in general – Viewed Anglican ministers as “ungodly and incompetent – King James found Puritans annoying as they prohibited sports and recreation – Pilgrims believed Puritans must break from Church of England as it was too close to Catholicism

Benjamin Franklin’s Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only son, our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Spirit I believe in the Holy Spirit, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen

Religious Persecution even in America 1774 Anglicans vs. Baptists – Madison “There are, at present in the adjacent county not less than 5 or 6 well-meaning men in close jail for publishing their religious sentiments, which in the main are very orthodox.” – Lewis Peyton in Imprisoned Preachers and Religious liberty in Virginia there were at least 153 serious instances of persecution involving 78 Baptists, including 56 jailings of 45 different Baptist preachers. – 1769; Reverand James Ireland was grabbed by the collar and asked on whose authority did he dare to preach the word. He said on the authority of the Gospel, and was told he was banned from preaching for 1 year. He refused and was jailed for 5 months.

Madison after leaving office “No doubt exists that there is much more of religion among us now than there ever was before the change. This proves rather more that the law is not necessary to the support of religion.” “Religious instruction is now diffused throughout the Community by preachers of every sect with almost equal zeal…The qualifications of the Preachers, too among the new sects where there was the greatest deficiency, are understood to be improving.”

Today “The United States is one of the most religious and most tolerant of nations”. “Relatively little religious conflict within our borders.” “Religious “sects” once persecuted as false and heretical (Quaker, Catholic, Unitarian, Jehovah’s Witness, and Southern Baptist) have sent men to the White House.” “In 2004; at least 12 different Christian denominations with 1.5 million followers and five religions with more than a million followers.” “Religious freedom provides each American an unobstructed path to God.” *Founding Faith, Steven Waldman