Tyler Huefner

History 1700, sec 35

Response Assignment
February 25, 2014
Religious Freedom in New England
Freedom of religion was something new to many colonists that came to New England in
the seventeenth century. The majority were fleeing increased religious corruption in their
mother country, England, others for new opportunity. The religious group who claimed the
correct interpretation of the Holy Bible, and dominated the north eastern border of America
at that time were the Puritans. The Puritans were a Christian sect that believed revelation
came from the bible and nowhere else. Thus, strict obedience was given to the holy writ. They
believed that even the slightest disobedience to the commandments would bring down the
judgment of God. One woman, Anne Hutchinson alleged that God had spoken to her directly,
challenging the entire foundation of the Puritan belief system, namely, that Gods revelation
came only from scripture.
Hutchinson came to Boston at the end of 1634. She was the daughter of a Puritan
clergyman and was taught at home. At a very young age she began questioning the principles
of faith and the authority of the Church. Shortly after arriving to Boston, she had a unique
spiritual experience. She said that she had been told by God that she was saved, meaning
that she was guaranteed to go to heaven. Hutchinson knew that this went against everything
she had been taught. However, she started to hold meetings in her home to discuss her
experience with the community. John Winthrop, the political and religious leader of the town
became very upset, even jealous of Hutchinsons popularity and influence. The people of
Boston were more interested in listening to an uplifting new idea of thinking than listening to a
boring sermon from Winthrop. Hutchinsons boldness lead to her eventual banishment from
the community.
Further conflict arose for Hutchinson due to her being a woman. In Winthrops view she
was unfit to preach the word of God. In the Puritan religion males were the dominate class and
women were supposed to follow. Their voices were not recognized so they didnt speak out
against their husbands, fathers, etc. Hutchinson would not comply to this model. She stuck to
what she believed and never wavered, said she heard God speak to her, and she was banished
from the community for it. Religious freedom was apparently not free in America. How
could one be persecuted by believing in what they know to be right?
What ultimately happened to Hutchinson is sad and shameful. The Puritans whole
purpose in coming to the new world was to start a new way of life, free from religious
persecution. Unfortunately, the way many of the men treated the women, particularly Anne
Hutchinson and her experience, perpetuated the same type of persecution. Beliefs, statutes,
and morals may divide us, but under one flag we should all be united.