From Europe to America: Denomination change

[Desert Snake]

It occurred to me that many of my ancestors, at least in my direct line, changed their church affiliation when they came to America, I wonder if this is the 'norm', for Americans, or only a small percentage?
Did your ancestors change their church affiliation once in America?

 

[Brinne]

Mine did as well.

My Mother's side of the family is from Scotland, they were originally Presbyterians but later switched to Episcopalians.

My Father's side is from Poland and they changed from Judaism to Roman Catholicism once they married an Italian family. Technically my Grandfather is a Jew, though he's much more comfortable with Roman Catholicism. Though I suppose that's more than a simple change of denomination.

 

[Desert Snake]

Mine did as well.

My Mother's side of the family is from Scotland, they were originally Presbyterians but later switched to Episcopalians.

My Father's side is from Poland and they changed from Judaism to Roman Catholicism once they married an Italian family. Technically my Grandfather is a Jew, though he's much more comfortable with Roman Catholicism. Though I suppose that's more than a simple change of denomination.

Interesting. I think that since there was more freedom of Religion here people did what they wanted. I think the U.S.A. is one of the few places with that kind of religious liberty, especially historically.

 

[Brinne]

Interesting. I think that since there was more freedom of Religion here people did what they wanted. I think the U.S.A. is one of the few places with that kind of religious liberty, especially historically.

It could have also been because it was less likely for them to be judged in the "new world" simply because they weren't part of a community there yet. For example, it's likely my ancestors in Poland lived in a Jewish community with their Jewish family. I don't think they would have gotten along well with their community and family if they embraced Roman Catholicism. I think this can be applied to other religions as well, such as a Protestant-hopeful growing up in a Catholic household though this is just a theory.

Another popular reason could be marriage.

 

[Desert Snake]

It could have also been because it was less likely for them to be judged in the "new world" simply because they weren't part of a community there yet. For example, it's likely my ancestors in Poland lived in a Jewish community with their Jewish family. I don't think they would have gotten along well with their community and family if they embraced Roman Catholicism. I think this can be applied to other religions as well, such as a Protestant-hopeful growing up in a Catholic household though this is just a theory.

Another popular reason could be marriage.

Definitely, the mixing of religions in communities, where people basically had to get along, especially outside of the cities.

 

[Shiranui117]

IIRC, my great-grandmother went from RC to Lutheran as a compromise with her atheist husband. I don't know if anyone else in my family changed their religion, though.