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Within a few years of the Declaration of Independence, before
Tennessee
became a state in 1796, Christian preachers were ministering to the European settlers of the area. Presbyterians were in
Tennessee
by 1777, Baptists in 1778 or 1779 and Methodists within a few more years (Dykeman, 119). Soon there were also efforts to bring Christianity to the Native Americans in the area. Although much of the religious practices of the region became what may be broadly characterized as evangelical Christian, there is a great variety of expression. And more recent religious expressions such as Pentecostalism have found fertile soil here. Christian traditions include Baptist, Church of Christ,
Church
of
God
, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon), Presbyterian, Roman Catholic and Seventh Day Adventist. Of course any discussion of religion must include both Cherokee spirituality and Judaism, and although they have not yet significantly changed the religious landscape, in recent years there are growing numbers of Islam, Hindu and Buddhist adherents in the region.
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