1. Puritan Religious Beliefs

2. George Henry Boughton, “The Early Puritans of New England Going to Church,” 1867

3. Thoughts on the Painting?
What message was the artist trying to convey about the Puritans?
Positive portrayal; tight-knit community; religious devotion; families; male leaders; religious leadership; belief despite harsh environment
Does the painting contain any indication of problems or conflicts in Puritan life?
Look unhappy; have to carry guns for protection on way to church; fear of attack?; bad relations with Indians
3 centuries after initial Puritan settlements in MA; brainstorming to get things going; initial reactions, gut reactions, something to build upon

4. Christianity in England
Catholic Church
Church of England (Henry VIII)
Puritans
(Non-separatists)
Anglicans
Pilgrims
(Separatists)

5. The Puritans: A Brief History
Puritans part of longer Protestant Reformation
Puritans wanted to apply John Calvin’s principles to purify Anglican Church
More Biblical, literal interpretation of Bible
Rejected hierarchy of Catholic Church – “popish” – no one should get between individual and God
Rejected rituals
Rejected trends in English society – crime, commerce, lack of tradition
King of England, Charles I & Anglicans persecuted Puritans for criticisms – pushed them to North America and Europe
Puritan Great Migration began in 1630
40,000 colonists in decade, so dominated colony

6. Puritan Beliefs Original sin – humans born sinful
Predestination – God had a plan
God only chose some people to be saved from Hell
Live religious life, work hard = Salvation
Puritan diaries filled with angst about whether they would be chosen for heaven

7. Puritan Family
Patriarchal family – man was head of household; women expected to marry and have children; unmarried looked down upon or spurned
Women’s role = family, home, religious devotion
Pride in children and growth in family
Children disciplined for misbehavior

8. Puritan Brains
Puritans focused on controlling behavior while on earth – punishment on earth for bad behavior
Puritans more religiously motivated and required to go to Church
No separation of Church and state- The government and the church made decisions together