William Penn and non-Christians

[yoyo3500]

Here’s an interesting issue about which I’m looking for information, and I know the Straight Dope is a great place for interesting issues!

William Penn is generally noted for his religious tolerance. However, all the sources I’ve seen thus far seem to discuss his openness to all sects of Christianity, but do not mention other religions. I believe Penn limited his tolerance to those believing in one God, but I’m not sure this would have meant that polytheists were not allowed from his land, but maybe it did. (I imagine that non-whites could fall into this category if they were not Christians?) Also, what of the Muslims and Jews and other non-Christians? Where they allowed into Penn’s colony?

Any informations, especially with sources would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time in responding.

[yoyo3500]

Just rereading my post and wanted to clarify something:

@yoyo3500

I believe Penn limited his tolerance to those believing in one God, but I’m not sure this would have meant that polytheists were not allowed from his land, but maybe it did. (I imagine that non-whites could fall into this category if they were not Christians?)

I meant non-whites of the time may have fallen into that category, specifically slave that did not convert. Certainly, it is possible for there be non-white polytheists! My point was that it seems likely that non-Christians would have been in the colony, so perhaps there is a precident that could be cited.

[yoyo3500]

Hmm. I guess this was too complicated a post…

[Captain_Amazing]

Well, from Pennsylvania’s “Frame of Government”, which founded the colony and set up the governmental structure:

XXXV. That all persons living in this province, who confess and acknowledge the one Almighty and eternal God, to be the Creator, Upholder and Ruler of the world; and that hold themselves obliged in conscience to live peaceably and justly in civil society, shall, in no ways, be molested or prejudiced for their religious persuasion, or practice, in matters of faith and worship, nor shall they be compelled, at any time, to frequent or maintain any religious worship, place or ministry whatever.

So, monotheists, at least, he had no problem with.

http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/states/pa04.htm

[yoyo3500]

@Captain Amazing

So, monotheists, at least, he had no problem with.

But does this include all monotheists? Did William Penn hold that the Muslim or Jewsh God was included in this? Did interpretation influence free migration into the colony? How was this put into practice?

[FriendRob]

@yoyo3500

But does this include all monotheists? Did William Penn hold that the Muslim or Jewsh God was included in this? Did interpretation influence free migration into the colony? How was this put into practice?

Penn’s tolerance came from his Quaker beliefs: that there is “that of God” in all people. This meant not just “the Turk [i.e., Muslim] and the Jew”, but also for instance Native Americans. This was in great contrast to the general Christian opinion of the day, which held that all infidels were of Satan and had no good in them. A famous story of George Fox, the founder of the Society of Friends (Quakers), tells how he “proved” that there was that of God in an Indian by asking him if, when he did something wrong or hurt someone, he felt an inner reproof. The Indian said he did, and Fox took that as proof of “that of God” in him.

The humble, meek, just, pious, and devout souls are everywhere of one religion; and when death has taken off the mask they will know one another, though the divers liveries they wear here makes them strangers. -William Penn, 1693

[Walloon]

Jim Powell writes:

Long before [William Penn’s] death, Pennsylvania ceased to be a spiritual place dominated by Quakers. Penn’s policy of religious toleration and peace — no military conscription — attracted all kinds of war-weary European immigrants. There were English, Irish, and Germans, Catholics, Jews, and an assortment of Protestant sects including Dunkers, Huguenots, Lutherans, Mennonites, Moravians, Pietists, and Schwenkfelders.

However, Jim Powell ]Bruce Bazelon differs:

Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector of England (1653–1658) allowed Jews after 350 years to resettle in that country. Hence, Jews could also live in the colonies as British subjects. However, few, if any, migrated to Philadelphia during William Penn’s time. Indeed, through the middle of the eighteenth century the Pennsylvania oath of office excluded non-Christians from public office. Thus, the seventeenth-century home of American Judaism was New York, with Sephardic offshoot communities established in the early eighteenth century in several coastal cities.

[Walloon]

Sorry, here’s the link to Bruce Bazelon.

[FriendRob]

Here’s an online bio of Penn.
(disclaimer: I haven’t read it.)

Look for other links at quaker.org