The Role of Preachers in American Revolution

Abstract

This study purely highlights the history of Revolution along with hidden impetus that were behind its origin. The actual cost is not so easy to define here but with the help of historical facts this thesis will describe the role of preachers in the American Revolution.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION4

RELIGION AND SOCIETY5

PREACHERS8

GUIDING RELIGIOUS DISCUSSIONS19

HISTORIANS DEBATE20

PARLIAMENT AND CONSTITUTION24

SOVEREIGNTY26

CONCLUSION30

ENDNOTES32

BIBLIOGRAPHY33

Introduction

Religion played a very crucial and significant role in the United States especially after the American Revolution. [1] It offered an ethical consent to for opposition to the British and gave the average American proof that the revolution was justified in the eyes of God. The Revolutionary war split numerous denominations, especially that of The Church of England. Their ministers were sworn by oath to support the King, and the Quakers, who were traditionally pacifists. The practices of certain religions suffered greatly because of the absences of ministers and the destruction of churches, but in other aspects of the church, religion flourished. The grand religious revivals that took place during the 1800's that ultimately gathered all ends of the country began at opposite ends of the land. They were the Second Great Awakening in New England and the Great Revival in Kentucky. The major religious improvement produced by the Kentucky Revivals was the camp meeting. These revivals were organized by Presbyterian ministers, who regularly used emotional, demonstrative displays of religious passion.

In Kentucky the pioneers moved their families and supplies into wagons and went to the Presbyterian meetings, where they set up their tents and settled for about several days. They assembled in a field in the forest and had long meetings regarding their faith. The people who went to these meetings transformed the site into a camp meeting. These revivals that swept the Kentucky camp meetings were so passionate and emotional that the church membership doubled in the 18000's. Self discipline hit the merchant class the hardest because of their pursuance in occupational ambitions that were connected with their job-related ambitions connected with the quest of spiritual freedom. Charles Finney was a lawyer who turned minister. He noticed the less commendable aspects of inner-city growth. They included heavy drinking, prostitution, and gambling. He instituted a six month revival that was directly aimed towards business men and women. He converted numerous amounts of people using his persuasion. His use of metaphors also helped and converted thousands of people. Minorities were greatly affected by this revival.

Religion and Society

Preachers played a key role in the revolutionary war of America. They fought for the rights of public and tried to bring peace in society. In the early days of American Revolution, the democratization of Christianity was starting up. [2] The ratio of women who were in church outnumbered men two to one and more women preachers were beginning to appear. African- Americans were also following the trend and many rapidly converted to Christianity and started giving sermons. This eventually led both African Americans and women to start their own societies and hold ...