Comparison of the Colonial Writers - Essay Example

Comparison of the Colonial writers and how their writings reflect the values of an emerging American culture and identity

In the early period, Christian religious believers and groups played significant roles that influenced the British colonial activities. It was because the colonial masters wanted to set and enforce their strict ethical rules that they expected the other non-British religious groups to follow strictly. According to many scholars, some of the laws that were put in place required that every individual attend a house of worship and ensure that he or she pays taxes which were used to fund the ministers of the word. Furthermore, the scholars argue that majority of the British colonial powers set out the colonial churches and the followers were expected to proselytize or practice the versions of Christianity (Bradford 27). On the other hand, the non-Christian individuals were sometimes subjected to persecutions. Many scholars have reported that even though several colonialists considered themselves as real Christians, it, however, showed that they did not live in unity and were bounded by religious believes and practices. William Bradfords and Henry Thoreaus narratives give two different outlooks on nature as a whole. Bradford depicts character as more sinful with salvation only achievable through Gods grace while Thoreau views life through a secular lens.

There were differing Christian groups which they showed that their Christian faiths were sometimes unique and might not have commonly catered the needs of the religious groups that were found in those regions (Bradford 29). Many scholars believed that those activities reflected the emerging American identity and culture. The emerging American identity denied the persecution of the non-Christians and the Christians should also be provided with the opportunity to worship according to their wishes and should not be forced to engage in worshiping of religious practices and believes which they are not conversant with. However, many colonial writers differ in the way they articulate their issues relating to the values of an emerging American culture and identity (Stafford,2016).

According to Henry Thoreaus narrative Walden explains the reason for the Christian view and not the Christian outlook. He argued that there were many Christian values that emerged when the colonialists were trying to make the Americans believed and adopted their faith. He says that were differences that absorbed among various religious groups in the society. The religious beliefs that were found in the region advocated for the right of all the people to have equal treatment regardless of their backgrounds (Malesic 78). Furthermore, the Thoreau, argues that there was emerging nature of the emerging American culture and identity which ensured adherence to the Christian doctrines.

The writings of Thoreau differ from the other script as it provides an opportunity for the learners to understand the historical development and emergence of the American culture, values, and identity. He uses facts to underpin the history and how different values binding a particular society are brought about and show how those communities have been engaging in educating people about the Christian and American benefits and how those values can be used to tie all the people together (Stafford,2016). Furthermore, the author makes his arguments more unique by providing quality and well research information regarding the emerging American values, culture and identity and how they could impact the well-being and the harmony of the American societies. The writing is however similar to the writings of other scholars as the author uses well researched and grounded evidence to provide the readers with information about the emerging values, culture, and identity.

On the other hand, Malestic Jonathan "Henry David Thoreau's Anti-Work and New Theological Ethic of Work" talks about how Thoreau has engaged in writing his works to provide information about the emerging American culture and guide the spiritual development that took place in the American setting. The author explains that Thoreau had utilized various strategies to make sure that the readers understand what was taking place during the period when cultural identity and spiritual growth took situation was witnessed in America. The approach can thus enable people to enact their freedom despite the working conditions which would negatively impact their economic development (Malesic 33). His policies are unique and differ from those of other scholars because it mainly provides an opportunity for them to understand the religious inclinations of those groups (Thoreau & Jeffrey, 2016). According to him, the spiritual preferences are very significant in that they provide well-grounded evidence about the origin of different religious groups found in the country. Malesic argues that the conditions given out by the colonialists about the religion and the political adherence could significantly influence the well and harmony located in the region.

The author further uses different approaches to make sure that the information given to the readers have well-grounded evidence and they can easily be understood by them. He explains how the creator of nature utilized the intelligence and that it provides an excellent opportunity for all the persons to understand the problems that are associated with the emergence of the American culture and the identity. He utilizes the theory of natural abundance to provide an excellent opportunity for people to get knowledge regarding the religious adherence to the rules and regulations governing them (Bradford 67). His writing is however similar to those of other scholars because all focus on the provision of information for understanding the American culture, identity and how the people embrace the religious practices and beliefs.

Branford, William's work "of Plimoth Plantation" is different because it uses various quotes to bring in the topic of the religious development, culture, and identity in the emerging American culture. Accordingly, the Christian faith is essential as it provides a character to the American lives and understanding of how colonialists wanted to impact the harmony that was found in that region negatively. The uniqueness of the authors writing is essential to the readers it simplifies their understandings about the religious beliefs in the America setting. According to the author, the believers had a way of making sure that they have good faith and they would be in the position to live harmoniously amongst themselves.

In conclusion, the writings given out by different scholars are essential for understanding the religious faiths, culture, and identity of various groups in the region. The different approaches utilized by the scholars provide an excellent opportunity to the readers to understand the development of the religion in the American setting (Morison 99). Even though the authors used different approaches, the approaches offer significant information about the faith and how it is tied to the culture. All the sources have the primary goal of making sure that there is a cultural development in the America (Thoreau & Jeffrey, 2016). Such events featured what the Americans believed in and ensured that spirituality in the American setting significantly adheres. The religious spirituality is known to be an identity regarding the merging of the American culture and backgrounds. The sources are similar in that they offer common information that reflects the emerging American culture and identity.

Work Cited

Bradford, William. Of Plimoth Plantation. Published by Edward Winslow, 1856.pp 118-124 Boston Massachusetts.Malesic, Jonathan. Henry David Thoreaus Anti-Work Spiritually and a New Theological Ethic of Work. Journal of Religious Ethics Vol, no.2, June 2017 pp.309-329. EBSCO host, Iacollegelibrary.idm.ocle.org/log?url-http://search.escohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AN=ATLAiB8W170613000176&site=eds.live.Morison, Samuel E. The Great Explorers: The European Discovery of America. Oxford UP, 1978.

Thoreau, Henry D, and Jeffrey S. Cramer. Walden. New Haven, Conn: Yale Nota Bene, 2006. Print.

Stafford, Jane. Colonial Literature and the Native Author: Indigeneity and Empire. , 2016. Internet resource.