Final answer:
In the New England colonies, religion played a significant role. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut shared similarities in their Puritan influence and the dominance of the Congregational Church. However, Rhode Island stood out with its emphasis on religious diversity and tolerance.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the New England colonies, religion played a significant role in daily life. While Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut all had religious similarities, they also had some differences.
Religious Similarities:
- The colonies were predominantly Puritan in nature, with the exception of Rhode Island. Puritanism influenced the social, economic, and political aspects of these colonies.
- In all three colonies, the Congregational Church was the dominant religion, established by Puritans in the seventeenth century.
- Education was highly valued in these colonies due to the Puritans' belief that church members needed to have a working knowledge of Scripture. Therefore, education and industry were important aspects of life in these colonies.
Religious Differences:
- Massachusetts and Connecticut required public support of Christian churches, while Rhode Island was established for the purpose of religious diversity and tolerance.
- In Massachusetts, the goal of promoting Protestant Christianity was blended with republicanism, as stated in Article III of the Massachusetts constitution.
- Rhode Island was created by refugees from Massachusetts who disagreed with the Puritan orthodoxy, thus reflecting religious and social toleration.