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Puritan Religious Beliefs
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George Henry Boughton, “The Early Puritans of New England Going to Church,” 1867
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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
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Christianity in England
Catholic Church Church of England (Henry VIII) Puritans (Non-separatists) Anglicans Pilgrims (Separatists)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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