Just a quick history of who the Puritans were and what they did, to start out with. Essentially Puritans were people belonging to the extreme religious group of Puritanism, who broke away from the Church of England because they believed it was too complicated. They believed that church and religion shouldn't be about fancy buildings, but about the actual teachings of God. They also found that the hierarchy of the Church's were often abused, and people only joined for the power that came along with the positions. As a result of these beliefs, they moved to America to start a new colony where they could reform the Church of England. In the end however, they broke away entirely.
So that sounds fine and great, but when you get a bit deeper into the history of what they did you might not like them too much anymore.
First off because of their hypocrisy. Isn't it ironic that the most strict and close minded form of Christianity is trying to gain religious freedoms, while they deny that right to everyone else? They believed that there way was the only way, and anyone who thinks differently can burn in Hell. Not only that, but if a woman was found guilty of immodest dress she would be stripped to the waist, tied to a cart, and whipped until her back was bloody. So let's get this straight, she was found guilty of "immodest dress", and the appropriate punishment is to strip her to the waist.
Secondly, there was absolutely no separation between Church and State what so ever. All forms of entertainment were illegal (as it would distract ones thoughts from God) and if you spoke against the religion you ran the risk of having a scorching awl ran through your tongue, your ear cut off, or a letter branded onto your forehead symbolizing what crime you committed.
Lastly, the Salem witch trials. Must I say more?
I find it ridiculous that despite all this, historians still speak of the Puritans as if they were heroes. And you know, the pilgrims weren't that much better. England even took over after awhile because of how ridiculous these religion based colonies were getting.
I could rant all day about colonial America, mercantilism, puritanism, etc. But I want your views on the subject.
I find it ridiculous that despite all this, historians still speak of the Puritans as if they were heroes. And you know, the pilgrims weren't that much better. England even took over after awhile because of how ridiculous these religion based colonies were getting.
I think they were heroes in the sense that they broke free from England's chain and ball of religion, however that's about it. Sounds like to me they were horrible and closed-minded. Good thing there aren't any more puritans in the world any more
if your ancestors were unethical would you feel happy about talking about all their faults?
It's something that needs to be talked about, whether or not we like it. It's history, and just because it was someones ancestors doesn't mean it was ok.
It's something that needs to be talked about, whether or not we like it. It's history, and just because it was someones ancestors doesn't mean it was ok.
good point, saying that would be like someone having slave owners as ancestors and denying that slavery was part of history.
i know, but they won't waltz around saying their great-grandpa participated by killing those witches in salem.
Reed (my last name) owned slaves along time ago, in 6th grade i met a guy who was on my family's plantation. i'm not saying slavery isn't bad, but it was accepted at the time. harboring hatred over something that happened in the past isn't going to accomplish anything.
if your ancestors were unethical would you feel happy about talking about all their faults?
Well I don't think that anyone hates the Puritans for what they did anymore. At least, I don't. I just want to see why people always prop the puritans up so much in history.
You're definitely right though, we shouldn't hold grudges against people who aren't even alive anymore.
Reed (my last name) owned slaves along time ago, in 6th grade i met a guy who was on my family's plantation.
holy crap, that's cool. That really happened??? Did you guys talk a while? lol, seriously man that's pretty cool... hm, I'm guessing this came out wrong but I'll just wait and see.
US props up alot of historical figures such as Ben Franklin :P
Yes, the reason for this is because history is always written by the people who won or were on top. Back in the colonial times this was the white males 35 and older that owned land. That's the answer to this question I think
I just want to see why people always prop the puritans up so much in history.
Biased people write history, if it was written always from a neutral source what we learned in elementary school that Columbus found America and the pilgrims were nice and got along with the natives every thanksgiving would be much different.
Biased people write history, if it was written always from a neutral source what we learned in elementary school that Columbus found America and the pilgrims were nice and got along with the natives every thanksgiving would be much different.
So you're saying that society dictates how people are viewed, and not the actual facts? Because now that everyone believes certain things about the pilgrims, and Columbus, like you said, it would be hard to go back and say "well...that all didn't really happen how we said." So I suppose that is one thing stopping from history books reporting the good and the bad. Another would be that in some cases they only have reports from people telling about things they did themselves. Such as John Smith. He makes himself sound like a hero, while in all reality he was a pretty bad guy. He did some good things, but he wasn't as great as his diary makes him out to be. Unfortunately, that's the only written report from that time period that we have.
Hey, Abraham Lincoln only made slaves illegal in half the country =P Gotta remember that.
They were fleeing religious persecution and they found North America. They encountered Natives which was a culture shock they were completely unprepared for. Drawing from their experience in Europe being persecuted as they were, they persecuted.
It's like a man who was beaten when he was a child beating his children.
there was absolutely no separation between Church and State what so ever. All forms of entertainment were illegal (as it would distract ones thoughts from God) and if you spoke against the religion you ran the risk of having a scorching awl ran through your tongue, your ear cut off, or a letter branded onto your forehead symbolizing what crime you committed.
The country was founded by the religious, so it was only right for the country to be religious in just the same way.
So let's get this straight, she was found guilty of "immodest dress", and the appropriate punishment is to strip her to the waist.
The puritans encouraged sexuality and found it very important to religion. The only problem was they encouraged sexuality AFTER marriage, and in a country without seperation of church and state founded by Puritans, I do believe it would be reasonable that they punish the slut.
And this is totally random, but they established public schools. That's right America was founded by Socialists!
Oh darn I deleted it. I meant to point out I am doing as I often do in this forum...usually without telling people. Arguing for the side I DO NOT agree with.
Such as John Smith. He makes himself sound like a hero, while in all reality he was a pretty bad guy
that's exactly what I was talking about.
Also to explain more, history would be written a whole lot differently if for example the revolutionaries lost the war for independence (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson etc...) Instead of being labeled revolutionaries and heroes they would be labeled rebels and traitors.
It all depends on the point of view history is written in when it comes to how historians judge them. Well at least it used to be that a lot more, now because of technological advances it doesn't always have to be that way.
