History of Religion in the United States by Gavin Hunter

Wounded Knee Massacre - 1890

gavinhunter85 — 2025-03-08 18:00:26 UTC

On December 29, 1890, tensions between Native Americans and the US arose due to the Ghost Dance Movement. This movement was seen as a potential insurgency among the Native Americans. On this day, the US Army fired into a largely unarmed population of Native Americans killing men, women, and children. This massacre is viewed as the start of the end of the Indian War.

Native American Graves Protection and Repatration Act - 1990

gavinhunter85 — 2025-03-08 18:05:12 UTC

A recent federal law passed in 1990 which states that any remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony. By passing this law, Congress sought to treat human remains of any ancestry with dignity and respect. It was also passed with the intention of fueling discussion and learning between Native Americans while also preserving the function of museums.

English Settlement in NA, Anglicanism vs Puritanism - 1607 and on

gavinhunter85 — 2025-03-08 18:09:38 UTC

English settlers landed in North America and established colonies on behest of the English; however, those who arrived sought freedom or distinction from the Church of England. One such example is in the colony of Virginia, where Anglicanism and Puritanism grew head to head. Puritanism was a religion grown in the disdain of many Church of England catholic practices, and as such sought religion reform. For the next couple of hundred years, tensions between religions continued.

Roger Williams - 1603-83, and Rhode Island - 1636

gavinhunter85 — 2025-03-08 18:15:11 UTC

Roger Williams born in 1603 in England was ordained as a Anglican Minister grew dissatisfied with the Church of England and came to the colonies, where he stayed in Massachusetts for a time until he was banished for his views. Williams was an early advocate for separation of church and state, as as such was exiled from Massachusetts which is when he established Rhode Island in 1636 as a haven for religious nonconformists such as Anne Hutchinson.

Religion of Oneness post September 11, 2001

gavinhunter85 — 2025-03-08 18:25:20 UTC

After the attack on the Twin Towers, much of America came together. Faith and religion tend to become more prominent during hard times, and a prime example of such is what happened in the U.S. post 9/11. Civil religion is how the process of interaction looks and is conducted between the melding pot that is America. What eventually came to be known as a haven for many religions, this country banded together post 9/11 to seek answers and pray during this hard time. The link above is a press conference where one of the attendes stated that before this event it was debated whether or not it was Islamic to participate in these multicultural/religious events; however, that all changed after the events of 9/11. A need to heal, reach out, and help was spread throughout all.

Constitution Ratification - July 4th 1788

gavinhunter85 — 2025-03-08 18:29:29 UTC

A peek into the civil religion of this time in which the colonies achieved independence after the Revolutionary Wars. After enough states had ratified the constitution, people of many religious denominations were celebrating side by side, showcasing how the future of this country is not based or made up of one religion, but by accepting and celebrating them all together and on our own.

Industrial Revolution - 1780-1830

gavinhunter85 — 2025-03-08 18:33:56 UTC

The Industrial Revolution (IR) is a time marked by development in the sciences, changed in the workplace, and changes in values. No longer was the home the workplace (farms), and no longer were families the workers. Now, men and children (unfortunately) were sent to work in factories with terrible working conditions which eventually led to reform; however, this period was also marked by a crisis in faith. Due to development of sciences, previously unexplained (or explained by faith) things were "debunked". Values also shifted and life for many turned upside down.

Seneca Falls Convention - 1848

gavinhunter85 — 2025-03-08 18:38:41 UTC

The Seneca Falls Convention was the first major women's rights convention in the United States. Taken place in Seneca Falls, New York, organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton this event effectively launched the women's rights movement. During this meeting, women's voting, role of women, social, civil, and religious conditions of women were discussed. Frederick Douglass attended and similar to the Declaration of Independence, drew up the Declaration of Sentiments

Nat Turner Revolt - 1831

gavinhunter85 — 2025-03-08 18:44:25 UTC

Due to restrictions places on slaves during this time, slaves would hold religious meetings to discuss their conditions, frustrations, and goals. During this time as well, many slave revolts took place; however, one such notable revolt was the one led by Nat Turner. Said to be led by divine guidance, Turner and his men killed 55 men, women, and children and were eventually defeated. Post this event, laws were passed to limit and supervise religious meetings; however, this only led to things like "hush harbors" or secret meetings between slaves.

Father Divine, Peace Mission Movement - 1907

gavinhunter85 — 2025-03-08 18:49:51 UTC

Born as George Baker Jr. and came to be known as Father Divine for his unusual preaching style, Father Divine started his movement in attempt to desegregate the U.S. He did many things other black men during this time could not, was arrested on few ocassions, but ultimately sparked the rise of many peace movements across the U.S.

St. Patricks Cathedral - 1858

gavinhunter85 — 2025-03-08 18:53:43 UTC

With the influx of Irish Immigrants during the Irish Potato Famine or Great Hunger, a fear of catholics began to rise as the Irish brought along with them their Roman Catholicism. Though they knew english, many factors led them to live in squalor in the U.S. until they asserted themselves and with brick and mortar build the St. Patricks Cathedral. During this time many religions schools ended up hiring Irish nuns who would teach what they knew.

Anti Catholicism - 1840

gavinhunter85 — 2025-03-08 18:57:33 UTC

Irish immigrants brought Roman Catholicism, and being that Catholicism was a sore subjects for many Americans at the time, a wave of Anti-Catholicism fueled by nativism was seen during this period. During this period mob violence occurred which led to the killing of Catholics who eventually had to find a way to establish and affirm themselves in American society.

Holocaust and WW2 1933-1945

gavinhunter85 — 2025-05-17 19:32:08 UTC

The Holocaust and anti-semitism, perpetrated by Hitler as a means to gather support after Germany had fell on hard times post WW1, saw a rise in persecution and execution of Jewish people. Jews were targeted and used as a scapegoat to project all the negative feelings people in Germany were feeling at the time post losing WW1. Simply for the reason that they were Jewish, these people were targeted, rounded up, and either put to work or executed.

Rekindling of Candelabrum - Hanukkah - 165 BCE

gavinhunter85 — 2025-05-17 19:38:35 UTC

The Temple in Jerusalem reclaimed from a Syrian king, rededicated towards the Jewish people and their beliefs. Judas Maccabeus and his followers reached the temple and found only one day of candelabrum oil that miraculously lasted 8 days. Now celebrated as Hanukkah, candles are lit on the first day and leading days until all candles are lit.

Scopes trial - 1925

gavinhunter85 — 2025-05-17 19:41:16 UTC

A fight between the teaching of diving creation versus evolution in schools. This highly publicized trial represented the fight between fundamentalists (divine creationists) and modernists (evolutionists). Trial ultimately ended when the presidential candidate overseeing this trial passed away suddenly.

Mormonism 1820 - Today

gavinhunter85 — 2025-05-17 19:44:17 UTC

One of the new religions to emerge in America during a time of emerging religions. Joseph Smith, founding father of mormonism, prayed in the woods, hoping to become closer to god and ultimately claims to have received visions from god. Eventually become the Church of Latter Day Saints that still operates to this day thanks to the persistence and perseverance of its believers.

New Thought Religion of Metaphysics 18th century

gavinhunter85 — 2025-05-17 19:47:32 UTC

Another emerging religion when people's faith and belief in traditional religions waned. This group believes in the connection between the mind and, expression, and metaphysical work.

Woman in Winderness

gavinhunter85 — 2025-05-17 19:56:39 UTC

Another religion that arose around the Second Great Awakening. A mix of Pagan, Christian, and Jewish religions formed this sect in Germantown Philadelphia,

Russian Orthodox Church in Sitka Alsaka- 1848 - Today

gavinhunter85 — 2025-05-17 19:59:12 UTC

This church served as the representative of the Russian Orthodox in North America. This church incorporated Russian architecture and culture, making it a very outstanding and imposing church in the area.

Autobiography of Omer Ibn Said 1770- 1864

gavinhunter85 — 2025-05-17 20:03:23 UTC

This autobiography is a testimony of the islamic presence and islamic slave presence in the United States at the time. He recounts how he was taken, sold, and lived under slave masters in the United States. He writes how he was put to work for different people and how each person treated them differently.

Worlds Parliament of Religions in 1893

gavinhunter85 — 2025-05-17 20:06:24 UTC

Considered the birthplace of interfaith movement where faith of all different kinds can coexist and thrive in their own ways. This convention was meant to bring the leaders of these religions together, to discuss shared beliefs, and to strengthen the bonds between religions to lessen conflict.

Mohandas K Gandhi - 1869-1948

gavinhunter85 — 2025-05-17 20:09:38 UTC

Gandhi's purpose was to combat the treatment of Indians as second class under the British regime, but ultimately threw off the British regime. Influenced individuals such as MLK with his teachings of nonviolence and civil disobedience.

New Age Movement 1960s popular in 70s and 80s

gavinhunter85 — 2025-05-18 00:24:06 UTC

The New Age Movement is a movement that spread through occult and metaphysical communities. Centered around love, healing, and transformation. Supposedly inspired by anthropologist Carlos Castaneda saw the rise in new religions with its core belief system centered around the occult and metaphysical.

Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965

gavinhunter85 — 2025-05-18 00:27:41 UTC

An act passed that removed many barriers surrounding immigration into the U.S., and ultimately led to an increase in immigration and the diversity of those coming to the U.S.. For religion, this act meant that the melding pot that is often used to describe the U.S. now widens its horizons.

American Council of Christian Churches 1941 - on

gavinhunter85 — 2025-05-18 00:31:32 UTC

A joining of many churches who all share the same beliefs which is that Jesus Christ as God and Savior. With the rise of new age religions, churches decided to band together to protect and maintain their beliefs in a larger system.

Electronic Churches - 20th century on

gavinhunter85 — 2025-05-18 00:35:13 UTC

With radio and tv making entertainment more accessible, churches decided to branch out and offer their some services like sermons or Sunday church on over electronic devices. This potentially has allowed churches to reach a larger audience and garner more support than by the means previously used.

Emerging Churches late 20th century

gavinhunter85 — 2025-05-18 00:38:43 UTC

Emerging churches occurred around when the New Age began to fail. The Emerging Churches gained in favor as a result new spirituality changes in the evangelical world. These churches however were are criticized to favor success over beliefs and ideals.

Consulation on Church Union - 1962, now Churches Uniting in Christ - 2002

gavinhunter85 — 2025-05-18 00:42:33 UTC

The COCU was a group that formed from nine U.S. christian churches in 1962. Nowadays, the purpose of this church is to join in their faith to combat racism, as it says on the CUIC homepage.