In the British North American colonies religious freedoms existed before 1700, however it was limited by the dominant Protestant colonies that slowed the growth of other religions. Puritans immigrated to the New World because they thought that the Protestant Reformation in England was slow and they decided to move on. However the more extreme Separatists left because they thought the only way to become pure was to leave the church altogether. Both the Puritans and the Separatists established their colonies and their governments. The governments were based on religious laws that displayed intolerance toward other religions. They had the freedom to practice and preach their beliefs; yet, they did not allow others to do so if they practiced other creeds.
In such places like Pennsylvania economic opportunities, civil liberty and religious freedom were aspects of every day life. Unlike the religious freedom in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania was Quaker dominant. Founded by William Penn, Pennsylvania was intended to be asylum for Quakers, but they welcomed other religions. The Quakers could hold their meetings, fallowing their religious rules and express religious and civic freedom. Here they were free to live about their lives, unlike living by colonies near the Puritans. Puritans seemed to work hard to submit the Quakers to cruel punishment because of their beliefs and way of life.
Religiously the British North American colonies had more freedom to preach and practice if they were more dominant. The bigger and more established c
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