Help with US History [the great awakening]?

Question

I already read the chapter for this question, but its a hard question. How do i answer this? i need help:

"Assess the extent to which the Great Awakening, an intensely religious movement, contributed to the development of the separation of church and state in America."

What i already know is that the preachers were very captivating, and even the most skeptical people would empty their pockets to the collection plate...etc.

But, i need to write more... my answer has to be half a page. Can u help me?

How would YOU answer this?

i need all the help i can get, and thank you for helping! :]

Answer 1

With the Great Awakening, many new denominations began to appear in the colonies. Separation of church and state eliminated the debate the politicians were bound to have if they had to decide upon an official religion. A debate of this type might have kept the colonies from uniting.

Remember the colonies were going to fight a war over individual rights. Separation of church and state was completely compatible with the idea that choosing your religion should be free of government interference. If the government chose an official religion, then the people were surrendering a right that should belong to the individual.  

There are several democratic ideals that can, at least, partially find their roots in the Great Awakening. If a man can decide how to worship for himself, how to interpret the Bible for himself, how to believe for himself ... why can't he rule himself?

I hope this helps. I wrote my History Seminar paper on the Great Awakening way back in 1976. I had to dig hard through my old brain to form these not so well put together thoughts.

Answer 2

http://www.shenet.org/high/hsacaddept/so...