Lindsey Pritchett - Jamestown vs. Plymouth

Earlier in the semester, we discussed a section out of Landscapes of the Sacred where we talked about the differences between Jamestown and Plymouth; the first two settlements the English had in the New World. I found the topic really interesting because the way of life in Massachusetts was more nature and freedom-of-religion based rather than material based, as it was in Jamestown. Jamestown was built to accrue riches for the King of England, and for the individual. Plymouth was built to escape religious persecution and gain the ability to practise their beliefs freely. The Puritans worked together with the Native Americans to survive the harsh weather or the North. In Jamestown, the settlers fought the Indians. 

Over winter holiday I travelled to Massachusetts for a visit. Not only is it one of the most beautiful places I have visited, but it is also much more relaxed in terms of organised religion. Most of the people in Massachusetts had more of the attitude I have witnessed overseas: if you have a religion, great! If not, that's okay! To me, it seems that the idea of religious freedom has survived across the centuries in New England. However, in the south, religion is a completely different concept. People are more set in their own ways; while there is still religious freedom, more people believe that their religion is the only way. One of the more common aspects of this are the people who go door to door "selling" their religion. Thus, the idea of having a set religion has not left the area surrounding the Jamestown settlement.