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Authority In A Puritan Society

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In modern days, society has viewed authority as a highly questioned body; however, authority in the pre-colonial times was a necessity. Without the bounds set by the figureheads in the society, the organizations and structures created by the Puritans themselves. This valuable source of leadership was a vital part of the community. A Puritan would react to such a statement of ‘defy authority’ in a manner of disgust and resentment, as authority is an integral part of their society. The church is one major source of this authoritative figurehead system. The church in a Puritan society was literally the centerpoint of all towns and communities. Sermons would call members of the church for sinning in highly emotional sessions. The attendance of …show more content…

The idea of the scarlet letter is an example of a Puritan society’s just punishment as a result of breaking the standards set by authority figures. Many Puritans viewed these topics of punishment as an everyday repeating ordeal. The few that were fully confessed to crimes were subject to all of these constant streams of torment. These ideas are reasons the average Puritan would take measures to avoid these actions at all costs; in contrast, today’s society would allow choices of a citizen with very slim or no legal …show more content…

The form of enforcement that our nation has taken in churches would startle and likely frighten the older societies, who used religion everyday in their lives. A proper example of the defiance to modern day authority would be the almost constant revolutions that are revealing themselves around the world. These wars are the challenging of the authority they are deem as incompetent for the people’s needs. A modern view of this topic would prove for an everyday impression from this idea. The Puritans rarely had change as no one knew how to adapt to these new changes. A system change would have led to the very downfall of the Puritan faith. These systems put in place held the society in a vice, not allowing any change throughout the history of the faith. The enforcement of authority by the clergy and pastors was vital for the ideas for the faith to last more than one generation, without this, the members of society would gradually drift away from the church lives they lived, as there is no true reason to be present. This idea alone was enough to begin the downfall of this organized religion; however, this led to a revolutionized sect of Christianity, allowing many people to freely practice what they believe in the present

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Following a period of religious decline in the early 1700s, the strong emotions that accompanied a revival left Puritans with a longing to “share [their] joy and tell [their] experience to others.” The “individual freedom and fraternal union went hand in hand.” The act of communicating with fellow Puritans compelled the realization of common beliefs between one another. These new conversations allowed personal religion interpretations to form without the worry of being considered a dishonorable Puritan. Additionally, the nature of individual conversions that accompanied the First Great Awakening signified the focus of Puritanism shifting away from “purifying” the Anglican Church and towards establishing a personal relationship with God.

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The Puritans was a huge deal in the 1600s. It consisted of colonists who were seeking religious tolerance. Puritans were so strict that it was so far fetched from tolerant. One would be punished to not attend church, it was against the law. Men and women were separated through the day long services.

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Throughout the course of America’s history there are many events of injustice: the mistreatment of Native Americans, using African Americans as personal property, and accusing men and women in Salem, Massachusetts of witchcraft. The Salem witch trials occurred many years ago in 1692. In the Puritan community, religion was a huge part of life. It controlled most of people’s everyday activities and was a way to find hope in their difficult, unglamourous lives. According to History.com, “Puritans were portrayed by their enemies as hair splitters who slavishly followed their bibles as guides to daily life” (Delbanco).

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(Hall, 127). This idea of a fair and just society was the centerpiece of Puritan society, and it subsequently led to the virtue of community over the individual which was previously discussed. When it comes to The Scarlet Letter, the ideology that Puritan morality is fundamental to everything is truly front and center. Hester’s struggle due to her past sin is a perfect example of this; The ministry attempted to purify and protect the community by excluding Hester from societal affairs, even going as far as attempting to strip Hester of her custody of Pearl. Overall, Hester’s forced

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