Pennsylvania religion = atheism

Would you have guessed that an 18th century phrase “Pennsylvania religion” was a synonym for atheism. It was and here is why.

Pennsylvania gave a home to a diversity of churches. This was viewed by most denominations as impiety. Church officials of various denominations proclaimed that Pennsylvania was the most irreligious colony in America. This view did not help the Moravian cause centered in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Julius Sachse, in his book, The German Sectarians in Pennsylvania (1708-1742) wrote the following:

“All shades or sectarians exist here down to open infidelity. Besides the English, Swedish and German Lutherans, and the Scotch, Dutch and German Reformed, there were Arminians, Baptists, Mennonites, Arians, Socinians, Schwenckfelders, German Old Tuckers, New Tuckers, New Lights, Inspired, Sabbatarians or Seventh-Day Baptists, Hermits, Independents and Free Thinkers.” 

This represented a disorganized spiritual life in colonial Pennsylvania. It stood in stark contrast with life in a German parish, with its clear lines of authority, intimacy and order.