Salem Witch Trials Research Paper

For the people of Salem, the 1690’s is less-than-ideal, to say the least. These refugees embark on a dangerous mission to free themselves of British persecution by moving into Salem, Massachusetts, hoping to start life anew. Unfortunately, their nerves catch up to them, their fears ultimately drive them down a spiraling loop of paranoia, anxiety, and rash measures of conduct. The already weak Puritans face many difficulties moving into Salem, but one unique difference sets this colony apart from the rest. Mysterious events took place in Massachusetts during that time, and these events are what makes the Salem Witch Trials very intriguing to many people today. As more knowledge of science advances mankind’s intellectual library, it is of no

Witches were believed to be given supernatural abilities by the Devil and were specially assigned to persecute Christians. The women started to target the underdogs of the colony, claiming that they were the witches that bewitched them. These vulnerable outcasts seemed the most likely to be witches because they were somewhat detached from society (Brooks). Because of this, people started to believe that they were witches and called to the clergy for action. A special court was organized to address what is now known as the Salem Witch Trials. These trials eventually lead to the convictions and executions of the accused. Interestingly enough, it is a myth that witches were burned at the stake. All executions that were ruled out by the state resulted in a hanging. In The Salem Witch Trials: Facts & History, Rebecca B. Brooks says that 20 people were murdered and over 200 were convicted of being witches/wizards (Brooks). The executions of these innocent people were solely based on eye witness accounts and were, therefore, unjust

One aspect of the trials that seems to go against Biblical moral would have to be how the clergy reacted to the situation. They ignorantly tried to take matters into their own hands and tried to fix the problem by their own means (Galatians 6:8). They selfishly took advantage of the distressed people and led them to believe that they were doing the right thing by executing the convicted (2 Peter 2:2-3). Yes, some of them may have truthfully thought that they were doing the right thing, but it is just as likely that others simply did not, but rather acted on selfish ambitions (1 Timothy