when the first europeans came to the new world, they brought with them the christian religion and their fear of supernatural witches. native americans had their own religion and beliefs. since the christian european settlers were living with these native americans and also african slaves (who had their own non-christian religions and beliefs), this scared them. the europeans were already scared, far away from their home in the new world with different plants and animals. this fear lead to violent crimes such as accusing and murdering people who they thought were witches and were hurting them with supernatural powers.