The Pilgrims sailed to America only for religious freedom...is it true?

...That idea is not altogether accurate, especially when one reads the first few lines of the Mayflower Compact, which says:

..."In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord, King James, by the Grace of God, of England, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, e%26amp;. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith and the Honour of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia...... "

...Not politically correct I know, but this is history.

...Any thoughts?

The Pilgrims sailed to America only for religious freedom...is it true?
Of course it's true. And that brings up the obvious question: If this is our history, our legacy, why is it "not politically correct" to talk about it now?
Reply:i think the questioner is focusing on the line "advancement of the Christian Faith **AND** the honour of our King and Country"





maybe, technically, you have a point. But in actuality, they bounced around Europe trying to get up the money and sponsorship to get out because they were persecuted by other supposed Christians. I don't recall the details, but I assume from the compact that King James eventually gave them the boats and they sailed in mutual interest - theirs and England's.



Even though they accepted the King's boats and terms, their primary motivation was to flee persecution.



EDIT: Ironically, the Puritan's brand of religious freedom was, "You are free to practice your religion in another settlement."

I can accept such self-segregation today (people move to Montana, set up a community on private property and kick people out who violate whatever 'norm.' Whatever. Good for them. There's plenty of other places to live.) But in colonial America, getting banished was usually a death sentence unless an Indian tribe took you in, which was unusual.



Because of early America's experiences with religious persecution in Europe AND in early settlements, we have the first Amendment prohibiting a state establishment or endorsement of a religion.
Reply:I'm sure not only religious freedom. Maybe even for a better life or land.
Reply:The pilgrims weren't the only ones who came to Plymouth on the Mayflower -- while the pilgrims' goal *was* religious freedom, the goal of the "strangers" was financial gain for themselves and the crown.
Reply:thats great, but who cares, does that make them right?
Reply:Given that the Compact was a political document, I would not think that it would be the most accurate source for motivations. I'd have to do quite a bit of research to form an accurate opinion.
Reply:They were kicked out of England for being pains in the asses.
Reply:The Pilgrims were religious zealots that came here to have a safe place to practice their cult, as Europe had had enough of them.



Europe also sent over all of their criminals and homeless, because they didn't want them, either.



Regardless, this group of people, as a whole, later framed the Declaration of Independence. This declaration had absolutely nothing to do with Pilgrims. And this country was not founded by Pilgrims, either. They were just another boatload, among many.
Reply:Nowhere in the United States' Constitution is church and state separated. Freedom of religion is guaranteed, and at the drafting of the constitution, it was agreed that there is a God. Our country is founded upon faith and freedom; to deny either is UNAMERICAN!
Reply:At that moment in time, the Puritans who thought they were the right type of Christians were practising their religion under the rule of Oliver Cromwell but when he wasn't the leader no more, the Church of England changed. They didn't agree with the Church so then they moved. Most went to The Netherlands but after some year there they felt that it wasn't home and went in search of a home that they could call their own.



They had heard of a new land (USA) and decided to go there. They landed in new England and from their settled where they lived and now their descendants live there with other people who have left their countries and have decided to move. Also, many years ago in the UK some people went to the Americas in search of the American Dream.



Puritans did go to USA for religious freedom but they weren't on the run although some people were for supporting Cromwell who was hated by all of the non-Puritans.



I hope I helped!
Reply:the Pilgrims were aiming for Virginia?







wow, was their aim off.
Reply:Not exactly.



Among other things, the pilgrims that got here were part of a particularly Puritanical branch of Christinity. So puritanical that they generally made themselves unwelcome wherever they went. Kind of like modern-day televangelists. We're stuck with that legacy.
Reply:If they had their way, Shakespeare would have been a chimney sweep.
Reply:A written mission statement may or may not mirror all the actual motivations involved.



Is it likely the Pilgrims mirrored some sort of Christian foundation along the lines of religious freedom?



Yes (my view).
Reply:The first colony of English-speaking Europeans was Jamestown, settled in 1609 for trade, not religious freedom. Fewer than half of the 102 Mayflower passengers in 1620 were "Pilgrims" seeking religious freedom. The secular United States of America was formed more than a century and a half later. If tradition requires us to return to the views of a few early settlers, why not adopt the polytheistic and natural beliefs of the Native Americans, the true founders of the continent at least 12,000 years earlier?



Most of the religious colonial governments excluded and persecuted those of the "wrong" faith. The framers of our Constitution in 1787 wanted no part of religious intolerance and bloodshed, wisely establishing the first government in history to separate church and state.