Final answer:
The best example illustrating the synthesis of Enlightenment and religious ideas in the American colonies is the concurrent advocacy for religious freedom and Enlightenment principles of liberty and reason. This is reflected in the commitment to freedom of religion and the influence of Enlightened thinkers on revolutionary sentiments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The example that best illustrates the synthesis of Enlightenment and religious ideas in the American colonies is the promotion of religious freedom alongside Enlightenment principles such as liberty, justice, and the pursuit of reason. Notable instances of this include Rhode Island's foundation as a bastion of religious tolerance and Thomas Paine's influential pamphlet Common Sense, which espoused Enlightenment ideas, arguing for the natural condition of equality among humans and the rights of the colonies to self-governance. The Great Awakening and the Enlightenment fostered a society that was skeptical of absolute authority and valued education, which was instrumental in shaping the political philosophy of the American Revolution.
Colonial experiences encompassed a tapestry of religious diversities, with groups such as Puritans, Quakers, and Catholics seeking autonomy to practice their faiths. This coexistence of various faiths within the colonies necessitated a foundational commitment to freedom of religion, which paralleled the Enlightenment espousal of human rights. This interweaving of religious diversity with Enlightenment rationalism contributed significantly to the colonies' push towards independence and the subsequent formation of the U.S. Constitution.