"Belief in religious freedom was central to the development of some colonies, while in other colonies such freedom was denied" is the basic quote that was followed within the early colonies of America. Many colonies believed in religious freedom while others believe in quiet the opposite theory.
William Penn founded Pennsylvania he based the basis of the theory of Pennsylvania on the beliefs on Quaker beliefs. The Quakers believed in equality of all men and women , nonviolence and also resistance to military service. This is what William Penn based the philosophy of Pennsylvania on. He wanted the new colony to provide religious refuge for Quakers and other persecuted people. Pennsylvania made up a Charter of Liberties which guaranteed freedom worship for all religions. This state was one of the most liberal states in the colonies. .
Roger Williams founded the next religious tolerant state- Rhode Island. He believed that individual's conscience was beyond the control of any civil or church authority. With this theory it led him to conflict with the other Puritan leaders , which of course resulted in banishment. Rhode Island realized Native American's were also people and gave them their rights and actually paid them to use their land. Also, the government was totally religious tolerant, allowing any religion come in without any persecution. With Rhode Island there were many Catholics, Protestants, Quakers, and Jews.
In opposition to religious tolerance there was Maryland. Maryland was mainly composed of Protestants, which meant the Catholics were mainly oppressed against them. Maryland chartered the Act of Toleration. It was the first colonial statue granting religion freedom- but ONLY Christians. With this charter it led to deaths of non-Christians. Later, the Protestants revolted against the Catholics and the Act was repealed and was no longer in affect. With this the Catholics lost all their rights to vote.
