Religion
William Penn came to establish the Pennsylvania colony, mainly because after he got land from King Charles II, he had hope that he could protect the Quakers from persecution in England and freely establish a colony with his beliefs. Because of Quakers and their beliefs, Pennsylvania had religious freedom, so they were open to anyone who wished to settle there.
Who were the Quakers?
Quakers:
- The Society of Friends which William Penn joined as well.
- Members with Christian roots that started in the 1600’s in England
- They believe that there is a part of God in everyone and that each human being is of unique worth. Basically had a strong belief in equality and that everyone must be treated equal, including women, which resulted in the fact that women could preach in public and voice their opinions in Quaker's meeting. This angered many people as women back then were not considered fit to speak in public.
- Quakers value all people equally, and oppose anything that may harm them such as war. The Quakers were anti-pacifists, so they believed in no war at all and were strictly against that. They would refuse to pay their taxes in England if they knew it would help the army. Violence was not the answer.
- Quakers try to make the World a better place with a lot of emphasis on social rights and justice, peace and freedom.
- Tolerance is part of the Quaker life and they strive to learn from all faiths and churches.
- Despised religious group in England
- Protestant Reformers