It is common belief that America was founded and built as a haven for victims of religious persecution from all across Europe. In the early years, our country saw Puritans, Quakers, Baptists, Catholics, Jews, and others flee from Europe in hope of religious tolerance in a land that would be unbiased and impartial towards their respective religions. Did every religion find this highly coveted "religious tolerance"? The answer, in my opinion, is no.

America, originally viewed as a prospective religiously free land by persecuted Europeans, did not convey an attitude of religious freedom in the 1600's and 1700's. In reality, most religious sects in America's early years were entirely intole

Although Puritans were one of the most religiously intolerant groups in early America, the Massachusetts Bay Colony was not the only place where persecution took place. Maryland, a Catholic -founded colony, passed the Act of Religious Toleration on April 21, 1649, making it one of the most religiously intolerant colonies. This Act punished colonists with opposing views by death, confiscation of land or goods, or issuing of fines.

rant of open-minded thinking and religious views contradicting their own. Each religion essentially wanted a place where they could practice their own religion, impose it on others, and punish those who did not see religion in the same light.

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Approximate Word count = 502
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)