modern america might have a better understanding of themselves by looking back in history towards the puritans
(importance in looking back in history (especially in regards to religion) that people of the past were not mere stereotypes, but multi faceted people with emotions, struggles and relationships we may never truly understand at the level they did)
The puritan colony came out of choice rather than by force- they believed if they created a place that fully "encompassed" christianity, their people could escape the evil of the world and be promised a place in heaven given they did as the bible told. the puritans saw themselves as one body, one community, and in working as one their efforts would be a reward of not individual satisfaction, but a sign of approval from God himself. if however, these principles were taken falsely, the people of the land would suffer greatly.
declension- moral deterioration
apostasy- abandonment of religious/political beliefs
as the generations continued on, there seemed to be a pattern in the people
americanization began to take place as people took to social issues more than anything else. people were accepted not for their religious values, but their efforts towards advancement and growth, and once the idea that one can have their own opinion of religion came about, the original goal of the puritan people.