1. Puritan historical background
In the 1560s, a group of militant English Protestants broke off from the Church of England
They called themselves Puritans because they wanted to “purify” the Church of England
They wanted The Bible, not the Pope, to be the “supreme authority” on religious rules and practices.
They thought the Pope was too inconsistent and did not always rule by The Bible (as God would).

2. They also wished to eliminate many Catholic practices
Saying Mass in Latin
Having priests
Entertainment on Sundays
Their version of Christianity was based on the works of John Calvin, but they were not Calvinists.

3. Though a group of Puritans stayed in England, many traveled to the new world seeking freedom from religious persecution
Puritans were among the pilgrims who landed in Massachusetts in 1620 on the Mayflower
Puritanism was dominant in
America until 1735

4. In the community, everyone had to conform to Puritan beliefs
Attending and giving money to the church
Following orders of the church leaders
Those who believed otherwise
(Quakers) were driven out. If they
returned, they were killed for being
sinners!
How is that ironic?

5. Moral beliefs Life is serious
Joyfulness and pleasures were the devil’s influence
Married people you may do, but dont’ enjoy:
Home and family were very important. They had many children – sometimes as many as 20. You just weren’t allowed to “like” making them. It’s a duty.
We only eat for sustenance, not for yummy.

6. Don’t even think about… you sinner

7. NO! There is no time for social occasions, such as parties
Social gatherings went against their religious beliefs, because they did not glorify God.
They believed one should be productive all the time
NO!

8. Acceptable behavior = They had a strong work ethic
Idleness was considered the devil’s influence

9. Clothing should be dark and cover the entire body, especially women’s clothing
Anything that encourages lust is sinful
Yes, proper
No, whore

10. Women were the main cause of the downfall of man due to Eve duping Adam in the Garden of Eden. For those of you unfamiliar. God gave Adam and Eve a garden to live in, paradise, and said you can eat anything here, but don’t mess with this one tree (the tree of knowledge). Eve is tempted by a serpent (the devil in disguise) and takes an apple from that tree; she eats it and gives one to Adam to eat. He protests then eats the apple, too. God banishes them for disobedience. A few consequences: life will be harder and they will have to figure out housing and how to find food for themselves. They become aware of their nakedness and sexuality becomes shameful. Painful childbirth is Eve’s punishment now given to all women and men don’t trust the judgment of women.

11. Therefore, all women must be “subdued”...
told what to do, not taken seriously, kept quiet, put in her (low) place, made to stay home.

12. They viewed God as a stern judge. The Bible was the final authority!
They believed: one should fear God!
God is omniscient and omnipotent.
Man is evil.
The world as a place of sorrow
and sin.

13. They were not a democratic society
Social norms:
They were not a democratic society
Their government was a theocracy (ruled by the church)
The local religious leader and a few important men
made laws and punishments.
They had seating arrangements in
church, according to wealth and position.

14. They believed in “Grace”
A person is bound for hell, unless he/she is the lucky one that gets God’s grace (God chose to save you and send you to heaven. It was totally dependent on God’s mood, whim, choice).
One cannot earn “grace”. A person never knows if one has “grace” or not. People who were good and pious were thought to have “grace,” but no one knew for sure. They must work their whole lives to attain “grace” from God. They believed people were able to improve themselves, morally, even though each of us were born sinners bound for hell.
Being wealthy might be a sign a person was a chosen one
Wealth =success. Success meant the person was working hard at his/her chosen vocation and God would reward that person
Their beliefs were TOTALLY contradictory!

15. Basically, they believed it was predestined whether they were going to heaven or hell, but the way they lived their life would show which one they were headed to
Headed to heaven
Headed to hell ↓
If you work hard, attend church regularly
Horrible life, do not attend church regularly
Good Puritan
Bad Puritan

16. The Puritans signed the Mayflower Compact upon arriving in America
The Compact called for self-government (as opposed to the King’s rule) based on mutual consent

17. Before you go writing these guys off as nuts, they established the American work ethic that allows our country to be seen as most powerful in the world-- that and a bunch of natural resources.

18. They established free public schooling
Secured by the levying of taxes
Applies to you directly, because your parents don’t pay $20,000 a year for you to go to school here as they would if you were in private school… Thanks, Puritans.
Founded first colleges & universities
Notably, Harvard

19. Residue of the Puritans, what remains all these years later.
Instilled respect for
learning
Developed a religious conscience in America
Developed moral principles for government and society
Americans are uncomfortable with nudity (no boobies)
Some language is considered “bad” . NO: Sh*( or

20. Thanks, Puritans…
They created first printing
press in North America
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Established the first representative form of government
The Mayflower Compact

21. Puritan Literature
Always practical
Focused on spiritual experience
Sermons, hymns, Bible studies, biographies
The Mayflower Compact