Question

Because no People can be truly happy, though under greatest Enjoyment of Civil Liberties, if abridged of the Freedom of their Consciences, as to their Religious Profession and Worship. . . I do hereby grant and declare, That no Person or Persons, inhabiting in this province or Territories, who shall confess and acknowledge One Almighty God, the Creator. . . and profess him or themselves obliged to live quietly under the Civil Government . . . [shall not] be compelled to frequent or maintain any religious Worship, Place or Ministry, contrary to his or their Mind, or to do or suffer any other Act or Thing, contrary to their religious Persuasion.

—William Penn, Charter of Privileges, 1701


Which civic principle was established in the excerpt?


Group of answer choices


the right to petition


the freedom of speech


the right to a jury trial


the freedom of religion

Answer 1

The correct answer is D) the freedom of religion.

The civic principle that was established in the excerpt is the freedom of religion.

When William Penn wrote the Charter of Privileges, 1701 for the Pennsylvania colony in the North American territories, he had in mind a colony that welcomed all types of religious belief systems. Pennsylvania was a colony that really tolerated different religions and allow people to practice their teachings without the threat of persecution.

There were other colonies such as the Plymouth colony, where the founders of the colony followed strict religious rules and did not tolerate different forms of thinking.