ABSTRACT American Christianity in the Maritime World: Challenges to Faith in the Early National Period Thomas Allen DeShong, M.A. Thesis Advisor: Thomas S. Kidd, Ph.D. The stereotypical eighteenth-century sailor was a superstitious man with little concern for Christianity. While it is true that most mariners at this time practiced a syncretic faith, historians have minimized the influence Christianity had. This thesis analyzes various ideological and spiritual challenges unique to American Christians who lived in the maritime world during the early national period (1775-1815). The first chapter examines the relationship between American Christianity and Islam. The focus then shifts to American providentialism, the effort by American Christians to interpret what God’s will was in human affairs. The final chapter explores the roles of naval chaplains and the struggles they faced in fulfilling their spiritual responsibilities. This thesis is an attempt to re-examine sea-faring life through a religious lens. While Christianity certainly survived in this setting, it did not thrive. In many cases, the principles of Christianity were challenged or undermined by maritime culture. American Christianity in the Maritime World: Challenges to Faith in the Early National Period by Thomas Allen DeShong, B.A. A Thesis Approved by the Department of History ___________________________________ Jeffrey S. Hamilton, Ph.D., Chairperson Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Baylor University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts Approved by the Thesis Committee ___________________________________ Thomas S. Kidd, Ph.D., Chairperson ___________________________________ T. Michael Parrish, Ph.D. ___________________________________ A. Christian van Gorder, Ph.D. Accepted by the Graduate School May 2012 ___________________________________ J. Larry Lyon, Ph.D., Dean Page bearing signatures is kept on file in the Graduate School. Copyright © 2012 by Thomas Allen DeShong All rights reserved TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .................................................................................................. v EPIGRAPH ....................................................................................................................... vii CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction: A Spiritual Bond ........................................................................................ 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1 Judaism/Christianity and the Sea ................................................................................ 2 American Christianity in the Maritime World ............................................................. 4 Relevant Historiography.............................................................................................. 6 Overview of the Thesis ................................................................................................. 7 Sources....................................................................................................................... 11 Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 13 CHAPTER TWO .............................................................................................................. 14 Encounters with the Islamic World ............................................................................... 14 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 14 History of Islamic Slavery ......................................................................................... 17 Rhetorical Uses of Islam............................................................................................ 20 Religious Indifference and Relativism ....................................................................... 23 Religious Intolerance ................................................................................................. 28 Conversions ............................................................................................................... 32 Captivity Narratives: Historiography ....................................................................... 34 Captivity Narratives: Examples ................................................................................. 39 Captivity Narrative: John Foss .............................................................................. 39 Captivity Narrative: James Leander Cathcart ...................................................... 42 Captivity Narrative: Jonathan Cowdery ................................................................ 45 Captivity Narrative: William Ray .......................................................................... 46 Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 46 CHAPTER THREE .......................................................................................................... 49 American Providentialism at Sea .................................................................................. 49 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 49 Traditional Christian Beliefs ..................................................................................... 54 Sovereignty of God ................................................................................................. 55 God of Nature ........................................................................................................ 58 The Great Physician .............................................................................................. 60 The Great Protector ............................................................................................... 62 “God of Battles” .................................................................................................... 63 Non-Christian Influences ........................................................................................... 65 Tattoos.................................................................................................................... 66 Theological Compromise ....................................................................................... 67 Meaningless Clichés .............................................................................................. 70 iii Mythology and Superstition ................................................................................... 72 Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 75 CHAPTER FOUR ............................................................................................................. 77 U.S. Naval Chaplaincy Corps ....................................................................................... 77 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 77 A Tradition of Chaplains ........................................................................................... 79 Continental Navy Chaplains ...................................................................................... 81 A Permanent Chaplaincy Corps ................................................................................ 89 Non-Religious Roles .................................................................................................. 91 Educator ................................................................................................................. 91 Warrior .................................................................................................................. 96 Other Roles ............................................................................................................ 97 Religious Roles .......................................................................................................... 99 Sins of the Sea ...................................................................................................... 100 Women .............................................................................................................. 100 Dueling ............................................................................................................. 102 Drinking ........................................................................................................... 103 Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 106 CHAPTER FIVE ............................................................................................................ 108 Conclusion: Contributions of this Project ................................................................... 108 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 108 Chapter Summaries ................................................................................................. 108 Contributions to Field ............................................................................................. 112 Conclusion ..............................................................................................................