How did the concept of the “established church” affect the pilgrims?

A. It proved the pilgrims’ willingness to reform.
B. It demonstrated the pilgrims’ desire to limit religious freedom
C. It cause the pilgrims desire to limit religious freedom
D. It provided the pilgrims with a reason the rebel against the monarchy

I'll be glad to check your answer.

The correct answer is A. It proved the pilgrims' willingness to reform.

The concept of the "established church" affected the pilgrims by challenging their religious beliefs and practices. The established church, such as the Church of England, was the official state church backed by the government and had significant influence on society.

The pilgrims, also known as the Separatists, believed that the established church had become corrupt and deviated from what they considered to be the true teachings of Christianity. They sought to establish a purer form of worship and practice, leading them to separate from the established church.

This decision to break away from the established church demonstrated the pilgrims' willingness to reform and seek religious freedom based on their own interpretation of Christianity. Their actions were driven by a desire to practice their faith in a manner they deemed more in line with their beliefs, rather than limiting religious freedom.

To determine how the concept of the "established church" affected the pilgrims, we need to understand what the "established church" refers to.

The term "established church" typically refers to a state-sponsored or state-favored religion that holds a privileged position within a particular society. In some cases, citizens are expected or even required to adhere to the beliefs and practices of the established church.

In England during the time of the pilgrims, the Anglican Church (also known as the Church of England) was the established church, meaning it held a position of authority and privilege. The pilgrims, who were English Separatists seeking religious freedom, disagreed with the teachings and practices of the Anglican Church, which they found to be too similar to the Roman Catholic Church.

Now, let's examine the answer options in light of this information:

A. It proved the pilgrims’ willingness to reform.
This answer cannot be deduced directly from the concept of the "established church." The pilgrims' views on reform are more related to their religious beliefs and practices rather than their perception of the established church.

B. It demonstrated the pilgrims’ desire to limit religious freedom.
This statement is incorrect. The pilgrims' journey to America was driven by their desire to secure religious freedom, not limit it.

C. It caused the pilgrims' desire to limit religious freedom.
Based on historical context, this statement is not accurate. The pilgrims sought to escape religious persecution and establish a community where they could freely practice their own beliefs. They did not desire to limit the religious freedom of others.

D. It provided the pilgrims with a reason to rebel against the monarchy.
This statement captures the essence of how the concept of the "established church" impacted the pilgrims. The Anglican Church's status as the established church was closely tied to the English monarchy. The pilgrims disagreed with this close association and saw it as an obstacle to their religious freedom. Their desire to separate from the Church of England and establish their own religious community in America led them to resist the authority of the English monarchy.

Thus, the correct answer is option D. It provided the pilgrims with a reason to rebel against the monarchy.