How did religion impact settlement in the american colonies? a. even though there was a fear of religious persecution in the new england colonies, immigrants of different religious beliefs settled within the area. b. as a result of religious toleration in the middle colonies, there was a wider variety of settlers and increased cultural diffusion within the area. c. due to religious toleration throughout the american colonies, people from reformed churches felt comfortable settling anywhere in the area. d. due to the number of anglican practitioners in the southern colonies, immigrants from outside of england were more likely to settle in the area.