On much reflection on the matter, I have come to the conclusion that the English civil war where Lord Oliver Cromwell took the protectorate of the government lead indirectly to the establishment of the American Republic later on.
The first Amendment was a direct reflection of what happened within the Puritan community after they took control of the Mass areas-it was called the Church of Boston by many back then. Another of my ancestors, Mary Dwyer was hanged Jun 1 1660 near Boston commons for simply preaching the Quaker Faith.
They (Puritans) escaped England because of persecution and then started it right here.
The good news is that our founders learned from history and applied it when they wrote the US Constitution.