Under the Cope of Heaven Religion, Society, and Politics in Colonial America

by Bonomi, Patricia U.

• ISBN13: 9780195162172
• ISBN10: 019516217X
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-07-10
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

In this pathbreaking study, Patricia Bonomi argues that religion was as instrumental as either politics or the economy in shaping early American life and values. Looking at the middle and southern colonies as well as at Puritan New England, Bonomi finds an abundance of religious vitalitythrough the colonial years among clergy and churchgoers of diverse religious background. The book also explores the tightening relationship between religion and politics and illuminates the vital role religion played in the American Revolution. A perennial backlist title first published in 1986,this updated edition includes a new preface on research in the field on African Americans, Indians, women, the Great Awakening, and Atlantic history and how these impact her interpretations.

Author Biography

Patricia U. Bonomi is Professor of History emeritus, New York University.

Table of Contents

The Religious Prospect	3	(10)
PART I. RELIGION AND SOCIETY
The New Heavens and the New Earth	13	(26)
The ``forlorne'' State of Religion	15	(6)
A Grudging Toleration	21	(9)
The Restoration Colonies and the Growth of Toleration	30	(3)
Religious Liberty on-Principle	33	(6)
The Clergymen	39	(48)
``The precariousness of their Livings'': The Colonial Anglican Clergy	41	(13)
The Rectors' Daily Rounds	54	(7)
The ``clean Air'' of New England: Congregational Clergymen	61	(11)
Diversity and Renewal: The German Church Clergy	72	(15)
The Churchgoers	87	(1)
A Word about Numbers	87	(44)
Churchgoing and Social Rank	92	(5)
A Gentleman's Religion	97	(8)
``Daughters of Zion,''	105	(6)
More Godly Women Than Men	111	(4)
Young and Old	115	(4)
Blacks, Indians, and Indentured Servants	119	(4)
The Great Awakening and Church Membership	123	(8)
PART II. RELIGION AND POLITICS
``The Hosannas of the Multitude'': The Great Awakening in America	131	(30)
Presbyterian Beginnings	133	(6)
New Sides vs. Old Sides	139	(10)
The ``divine fire'' Kindled in New England	149	(3)
Minority Rights and Divided Sovereignty: The Great Awakening as a Radical Model	152	(5)
``Who is upon GOD's Side?''	157	(4)
The Political Awakening	161	(26)
From Religion to Politics in Connecticut	162	(6)
Denominational Politics in Pennsylvania	168	(13)
Dissenters vs. Anglicans in Virginia	181	(6)
Religion and the American Revolution	187	(30)
The Ideology of Dissent	189	(10)
The ``infernal confederacy'': Controversy over and American Bishop	199	(10)
The Clergy, the People, and the Patriot Cause	209	(8)
The Formation of American Religious Culture	217	(6)
Notes	223	(58)
Index	281