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In the British North American colonies religious freedoms existed before 1700, however it was limited by the dominant Protestant colonies that slowed the growth of other religions. Puritans immigrated to the New World because they thought that the Protestant Reformation in England was slow and they decided to move on. However the more extreme Separatists left because they thought the only way to become pure was to leave the church altogether. Both the Puritans and the Separatists established their colonies and their governments. The governments were based on religious laws that displayed intolerance toward other religions. They had the freedom to practice and preach their beliefs; yet, they did not allow others to do so if they practiced other creeds. These New England colo