I remember the first time Karen and I visited Virginia. It was a great learning experience for both of us. Although I had taken several American history classes, being on the scene offered us many powerful insights.
For example, it was in Williamsburg that I first saw how the people attended church in colonial days. Each of the well off families had a special pew set aside for them. They had to pay a tax to get the pew, of course. The American tradition of sitting in a special place each Sunday may go back to those early days in the Anglican churches. (No tax today but we expect tithes and offerings.)
Church membership was closely associated with citizenship. Just like England, the colonies had a close tie between a certain denomination and the colony in which it was located. There were two state denominations in colonial times. The Congregational Church Denomination dominated the North Eastern or New England Colonies and the Anglican Episcopalians had Virginia sewed up.
When the founders said there was to be no establishment of a religion, this is what they were talking about. They did not want any certain denomination to get public tax monies to support the clergy and buildings as they did in Europe. Nor did they want any denomination to dominate the membership of a state.
Today, religion is still seen as a dual membership in many countries, especially Islamic nations. Thus, conversion to an other religion is seen as not only heresy but as being a traitor to the nation. In America, religion was disconnected from patriotism so different churches grew and prospered according to how well they ministered to the felt needs of the community. So, America's freedom of religion has led to a very healthy state of Christianity.
But why was 1619 a very good year? What three historic things happened in 1619? See if you can guess what they were. I will post the answers in a few days. Anyone that gets all three of the answers right will get a free book. 2019 will be the 400th anniversary of these three huge events. Get ready to celebrate in 11 years.
Gary Sweeten
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