Religion

Religion

Religion has its own history and plays its own distinct role throughout the world, including in the city. Some of the most important historical religious events happened in major cities throughout the world. For example, Christianity was originally brought to America in 1800 when European priests arrived. These priests were called Diocesans. Diocesan priests were under the local authority of the Diocesan officials. These priests established missions in different cities throughout America, including areas in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Texas, Mississippi, Arizona, and California. These priests demanded the people convert to Christianity, although they were met with much resistance. At times, the natives even killed the missionaries in revolt of this new religion (Butler, 20).

By the late 1800’s, Christianity had taken root in America. The African American culture particularly had taken a great pride in this new faith. In the 1890’s, southern African Americans and their churches migrated to the northern part of the United States. They started developing an extensive social services system that helped newcomers receive basic needs. Small homes and store front churches were founded and were quickly increasing in the ghettos. Catholicism had also attracted many African Americans because of their good schools.

Between 1950 and 1960, Dr. Martin Luther King led the civil rights movement. Many African Americans joined in this effort campaigning around the country. The main idea behind the civil rights movement was to secure progress of civil rights in America. Martin Luther King, Jr. is still referred to as a civil rights icon today.

In 1963, King’s civil rights efforts led to his March on Washington, where he delivered his “I have a dream” speech. During this march, he raised public awareness of civil rights and became one of America’s great orators.

In 1964, King became the youngest person to receive the Noble Peace Prize during his efforts to end racial segregation and racial discrimination through non-violent ways.

In 1968, King had refocused his civil rights efforts to ending the war in Vietnam and ending poverty (Butler, 51).

In the last 20 years, Protestantism has risen in place of the traditional forms of Christianity. According to David G. Hackett, “a religion of school based concerns with the intellectual history of Protestant main line has given way to religious studies interest in the social and cultural history.”