A primary part of American fate is shaped by the first Puritans who landed on the shores of New England, Massachusetts. Exiled from England, their agenda was strictly religious. Religion and spiritual inspiration went hand in hand as it ultimately became a guide for the New World ("The Pilgrims"). The Puritans settled where they created a philosophy that was essential in the shaping of religion in America. They merely wished to influence others by their concept of faith, the particular idea of the covenant with God and the belief that one's destiny was predetermined. Their mission was to create a godly community demonstrating a life of passion and fellowship that would be symbolic to Puritans worldwide.
             The events that lead to the settlement of New England at Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay derived from the religious conflict that began by Martin Luther's Reformation movement and the formation of the Protestant Church ("People & Ideas: The Puritans"). They divided themselves into two groups, one of which felt it was possible to live under the rules of the Church of England, and the other which felt they could not. Those who felt they could not were classified as "Separatists" and thus set out to the New World ("The Pilgrims"). Prior to reaching their destination, their spiritual leader, John Winthrop defined the principles that were to govern the life of the Puritan community and showcase a shining example of Christian morals. In Winthrop's, A model of Christian Charity, he exhibits these principles with the idea that their settlement on this new land must become a successful establishment with this quote, "For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill" (Winthrop 177). Their journey proved to be a particularly harsh one and out of the two ships that left, only the Mayflower completed the trip.
             After being established, the Pilgrims set out to fulfill their primary goal, the establishment of a more pure church. The ...