Puritans expelled Roger Williams, the Plymouth people were  
Separatists.   Did not celebrate Christmas, "popish."   I think it  
was Hooker who bought land from the relevant Indian tribe (Pequots?  
Wampanoag?), maybe Williams did, too.   American culture is built on  
a base of Protestantism-- Anglicans and Puritan / Separatists.  There  
were several "Evangelical"  movements.

Read history and learn a lot more...

Andrea

On Sep 23, 2008, at 9:40 AM, Paul Rogers wrote:


> Concerning the discussion on citizenship and diversity, etc, I  

> would like to add my two cents. I have also written a prose poem  

> which I can send to anyone interested.

> I think that it is critically important to respect and appreciate  

> all people from other cultures,

> in particular languages, religions, art and music.

> When we speak of American Culture, what are we talking about?

> Please define.

> I do not go a day without enjoying all kinds of music, dance, food,  

> etc.

> Cultural diversity is ... terrific!

> I would not be a very cultured person if I ate meat and potatoes  

> all the time, spoke only English, listened only to 40s songs, and  

> only watched "American" movies.

> During the discussion, there have been a few allusions to American  

> history, the constitution, the "founding fathers', etc.

> Roger Williams was a founding father who was expelled from the  

> Plymouth colony for preaching heresy. Those original colonists were  

> extreme religious bigots and it seems, among other things, Rgoer  

> Williams was against Theocracy.

> So he went a little southeast and founded Rhode Island to put his  

> heretical views into practice. Williams became governor of RI and  

> welcomed members of all religions to Rhode Island, particularly  

> Catholics and Quakers. Williams also learned the Native peoples'  

> languages and bought land from them at a fair price.

> I have more to say but I have used up my two cents.If you would  

> like a copy of my prose poem, email me offlist.

> Thanks,

> Paul Rogers

> pumarosa21 at yahoo.com

>

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