Abstract
The free expression of religion has been an ongoing struggle since way back when and through the establishment of the First Amendment; a solution to the madness was created. Before the implementation of this amendment; societies’ involvement in trying to influence the U.S.’s practices of religion has become an ongoing controversy within the history books. Based on the first amendment, Hutson’s Church and State in America tells us that “The amendment simply states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” This amendment prevented the federal government from establishing a national religion and allowed people to freely exercise their religious beliefs and practices. The amendment appeared straightforward, but in practice it was ambiguous and increasingly controversial.” Hutson emphasized in the earlier parts of the text how although there were several belief systems that existed during the 17th century like the Anglicans, Puritans and Catholics; there was a solution needed for the state to intervene and establish a central church for everyone to follow by force. As a result of Constantine’s efforts, the doctrine of exclusive salvation was established which stated that “uniformity of faith – for if all were to be saved, all must believe the same truth – and persecution of dissent. “The case for theological persecution, is unanswerable,” wrote a distinguished expositor of the doctrine, “if we admit the fundamental supposition that one faith is known to be true and necessary for salvation.”
As time continued to move forward, other inhabitants were still insistent on staying true to their own beliefs and in 1674, Lord James “reiterated his commitment to religious liberty by instructing Governor Andros to
