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Puritans
This category is for questions about the group of people who strove to reform the Church of England in the 16th and 17th century. Lead by John Winthrop, they were one of the first English groups to settle North America and modern day New England.
1,568 Questions
The puritans faith and beliefs about withcraft?
The Puritans were people dissatisfied with the Church of England and who worked at reforming the morals, religion and society in the 1500's though the 1700's. The writings and ideas of John Calvin, one of the leaders of the reformation gave rise to protestantism and the Christian revolt. Persecuted by the leaders of The Church and the King the Puritans came to North America.
What most people know about the Puritans centers around the New England Witchcraft Trials, but this does not define them as a group.
The Puritans believed that the Bible was Gods one true law and it provided all that was needed for life and living. They felt the Church of England had become a product of political struggle and man made doctrines and was beyond redemption. 100's of successful thriving communities had been formed by the 1700's. Since God and the Bible was at the forefront of everything they did it was the motivating ideal that worked both for them and against them.
Their interpretation of scriptures was harsh and unyielding. Any deviation from the strict Puritan life was met with disapproval and punishment. The elders of the church were also the political leaders, so any infraction was both social and religious and there was no margin of error.
The devil was behind every misdeed and every misunderstood event even natural ones like storms. Human misdeeds,jealousy,greed and differences could be justified and blamed on witchcraft since proving witchcraft was impossible, it was simply a matter of suggesting its presence. Once the seed of fear was planted, the old woman who used plants to heal was "a witch" the young woman who smiled at your intended was "a witch" The neighbor who's stream you coveted was "a witch".
When the young girls Betty Paris and Abigail Williams fell ill and the village doctor could not find or cure the problem, he proclaimed they were "bewitched" and the hunt was on.
The decline of Puritanism had many playing roles. The immigrants not seeking salvation increased at the same time that descendants began to question the rigidity of the faith. In the end the inflexibility of the faith was its greatest weakness and strength.
What did the puritans mainly worship?
My understanding of the Puritans is that they were different from other Christians only by the way they lived. They worshipped God, the Holy Trinity, the Christian God, just the way the other Christian immigrants did. But the Puritans lived a "pure" life, and conducted themselves with much more discipline than the others.
One of my favorite reference books (and dictionary) is "The New Britannica/Webster Dictionary & Reference Guide" (by Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., 1981. Some day I will buy the newest version.) This dictionary gives pretty good explanations of things, words, people, places, etc.
I looked Puritan up in that dictionary, and their definition is: A Protestant group who oppose as unscriptural many traditional customs of the Church of England. They follow a stricter moral code than that which prevails in the other church." The word Puritan is from the Latin "puritas," or purity.
I also looked up the word Pilgrim: "One who travels in foreign lands; one who travels to a shrine or holy place as a devotee; one of the English colonists founding the first permanent settlement in New England at Plymouth in 1620."
So, the Puritans were a group of pilgrims who left the Church of England, and they immigrated to America. They found new homes and established their own community, where their strict moral values would be the norm. The Amish communities in America are a bit like the Puritan communities. The Amish do not allow other life-styles in their community; everyone in their village has the same beliefs and moral standards.
The Puritans were part of the Protestant movement in Europe, and they were Christians.
What were the jobs that puritan men and women did?
Women in Puritan New England made clothing for their families. They also cooked, and cleaned. Since a lot of them weren't educated, they couldn't read, but had to go to church to hear the Lord's word. Men in Puritan New England traditionally farmed, because their lives and their families lives depended on it. If they were not farmers, they probably fished or built shis, depending on their location. Few men were in the religious field (priests).
What century did puritanism begin?
Puritanism began in the 1560's. It began in England, started by Queen Elizabeth I. She stated the main definition of it, it was soon carried on through out and changed by the people of England. Puritans eventually left England in fear of religious persecution.
The decline of Puritanism was due to several factors. One major factor was the internal struggle Puritans faced in America. There was much resentment of the power of few over many. Also, Massachusetts became a Crown colony, and theocracy suffered from the lack of flexibility. Puritanism also decayed because many disliked the "closed" lifestyle, and when the presence of the frontier was made known, the concept of self-reliance, individualism, and optimism became popular.
As for when it ended, well it never really did. Hints of Puritanism are still alive today. The pride we take in our nation and communities closely resembles that of Puritans. Also, most religions share some common beliefs with the Puritans (for more info on their basic beliefs check http://www.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/chap1/chap1.html).
How did the Puritans practice medicine?
The Puritans practiced medicine with the belief that they are not only physicians, but they are also sent by God. They combine medicine with the gift of healing.
What kinds of home crafts were made by the Puritans?
There are a number of different home crafts that were made by the Puritans. These crafts included cloths and linens that had a purpose.
puratans - purify the anglacan church sepratist - separate comletely from the aglacan church why they left - to escape pirsacution puratans - purify the anglacan church sepratist - separate comletely from the aglacan church why they left - to escape pirsacution
Did the Puritans agree with slavery?
The Puritans did agree with slavery. They saw it as in agreement with the Bible, but slavery in the Massachusetts colonies was regarded as slightly less harsh than the slavery in the southern colonies because the Puritans also believed that it was their responsibility to provide for the slaves' well being, both physically and spiritually.
Source: http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_slav.html
Why did the puritans come to America?
The puritans came to the New World to escape religiouse prosecution from the church of England. They intended to start a new branch of the church
The Puritans wanted to purify the Roman Catholic religion. " They believed that man existed for the glory of God, that his first concern in life was to do God's will and so to receive future happiness. They believed that Jesus Christ was the center of public and personal affairs, and was to be exalted above all other names." according to The Oxford History of the American People by Samuel Morison.
What did the puritans hope to accomplish?
They hoped to form religious communities in the new land.
B.M.
What were things the Puritans didn't like about the Church of England?
It was not what the Pilgrims were seeking in terms of religious freedom. That is why they left for America.
Who was banished by the Puritans and set up the colony of Rhode Island?
A very smart man by the name John Lickmycock. His wife, linda grabmyballs, was the reason they were banished. She was caught forcibly masturbating with a branch.
Did Puritans come to Rhode Island?
The pilgrims did not settle here. I think they either settled in North Carolina or Massachusetts. Glad I could help:)
What was the cause of conflict between the puritans and the church of England?
The Puritans wanted to "purify" the Church, but the Church would not let them.
What are some important facts about John Winthrop?
John Winthrop was a Puritan who emigrated to colonial America. He was an outstanding administrator and religious leader. He became the governor of the Massachusetts Bay colony in the middle of the 17th century.
Did the Puritans first settle in Connecticut before moving to Massachusetts?
I think that the Puritans were the first to settle in Massachusetts
Was Maryland founded by the Puritans?
Someone already answered this question but Lord Calvert founded Maryland as a safe heaven for Roman Catholics, he tolerated other forms of Christainty.
