Anne Hutchinson's Criticism Of The Puritan Society

“But now having seen him which is invisible I fear not what man can do unto me” – Anne Hutchinson. Anne Hutchinson was a fearless opponent of the Puritan faith during the beginnings of America. Hutchinson was born in England but then traveled to what is now America with her family to live in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In the Colony she got involved in the Puritan church and eventually fell into controversy within the society. Through her conflicting religious beliefs, Anne Hutchinson imposed the conservative and conventional role of women in the Puritan society. Hutchinson’s opposition of the Puritan society was derived from her criticism of the Puritan’s conforming laws and extreme views on the Bible. For instance, she disliked their

The Puritan’s practiced religion as The Cabinet would practice politics: lawful and authoritative. The supporters that Hutchinson had in Boston proved that she was not the only one who opposed the teachings of the Puritans but she was one of the few to vocalize her opinions. In addition, Hutchinson combated the Puritan’s doctrines: “Among her beliefs that varied from the Puritan doctrines were the concepts that salvation came through their faith alone, that enslaving the Indians was wrong, and that God revealed himself directly to each believed without the need of clergy” (Adams). Anne believed one could channel God without the mediating of a minister or preacher. Also, Anne felt merciful towards the Natives because the colonists had stormed their land and conquered it without the Native’s consent. Then,

For example: “Hutchinson publicly spoke out against the Puritan religious leaders: In an era when women were admonished to obedience, passivity, and meekness, Hutchinson defended her theological position and provided the women of the Massachusetts Bay Colony with a model of independence and resourcefulness” (Seton 156). Anne Hutchinson was unwilling to let a male authority tell her how to behave and worship. She was a beacon of hope for the other women who also felt this way but were too scared of the outcomes of vocalizing their oppositions. In addition, Hutchison was viewed as a threat due to her intellect: “Hutchinson was intelligent and persuasive, but her perceived air of superiority must have seemed to the church fathers especially inappropriate coming from a woman. Winthrop in particular had no patience for women who (as he wrote in his journal) “meddle in such things as are proper for men, whose minds are stronger” (Moore). John Winthrop was afraid of Hutchinson’s influence over the Puritan population. He was scared to have his title taken from him if Hutchinson grew more popular. More importantly, Anne Hutchinson set a pattern of separatists to come: “In daring to think differently from the colonial autocrats who would brook no disagreement, she took an early place of prominence in the development of