The groups are referred to as Separatists (also known as Dissenters), including the Pilgrims and Puritans who travelled to form colonies in America.
separatists
separatists
Migrations of English Calvinists to New England-Factors?
Political conflict and religious persecution in England were not factors in inducing migration of English Calvinists to New England.
No. They came into being during the era when the Puritans, a group of Calvinists, ruled England. They were a reaction against Calvinism.
Calvinists.
It was used when the Pilgrims left to go to the Americas and establish their own churches, independent of the Church of England.
the Calvinists
Calvinists.
The Puritans.
Were they Calvinists i.e. Presbyterians?
The modern Anglican Communion of churches has a very long history which began soon after the time of Christ, when the first churches were planted in England. These churches were independent of Rome, and were known as 'Celtic' churches. However, for a long period (about 600AD to 1536AD) the churches in England were ruled by the Popes of the Roman Catholic church. This rule was rejected in the time of Henry VIII, and since then the Church of England has been independent again. The word 'Anglican' really just means 'English', and it came into use as just another way to describe the Church of England. However, many denominations in other countries were planted by English Anglicans, and are now part of the worldwide 'Anglican Communion.'
Churches and civil government were typically separate entities in New England to uphold the idea of separation of church and state. This was in contrast to some European countries at the time, where the church had a significant influence on civil government. New England communities valued religious freedom and wanted to avoid the potential for religious oppression that could come from a church-controlled government.
England has always been an independent country.