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Puritan Beliefs and Impact on America

Explore the beliefs of Puritans and how they shaped America. Learn about their religious exclusiveness, predestination doctrine, strict discipline, and opposition to entertainment. Analyze a Puritan poem by Anne Bradstreet.

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Puritan Beliefs and Impact on America

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  1. English III – 19 August 2019 The Puritans Do Now: Turn in Week 1 Vocabulary to green basket by the door Set up notes Cornell style Proper heading top right corner and labeled The Puritans and write EQ at the top EQ: What are the Puritan beliefs and how did they impact America? Agenda: Notes on the Puritans Anne Bradstreet poetry: SOAPSTone

  2. PURITANISM was a RELIGIOUS GROUP which came into existence in the 16th century in England. • The Puritans were one branch of DISSENTERS who decided that the Church of England was “beyond reform”. • TO ESCAPE PERSECUTION from church leadership and the King, they CAME TO AMERICA. • The first group CAME IN THE MAYFLOWER and was included with the group called Pilgrims. • They left England determined to build A PERFECT MORAL SOCIETY in America. • Most of the Puritans SETTLED IN THE NEW ENGLAND area.

  3. They wanted to "PURIFY" THE CHURCH and their own lives. • They believed that the BIBLE WAS God's true LAW, and that it provided a plan for living. • GODwas at the forefront of their minds, He MOTIVATED ALL OF THEIR ACTIONS. • Because of their views, PURITANS WERE frequently PERSECUTED and many fled to other countries - such as America - where they could both escape this persecution and set up their own ideal societies.

  4. The doctrine of PREDESTINATION kept all Puritans constantly working to do good in this life to be chosen for the next eternal one. • PREDESTINATION = God had ALREADY CHOSEN WHO WOULD BE IN HEAVEN OR HELL, and each believer had no way of knowing which group they were in – but if you sinned, you’d lose your spot. • They felt that HARD WORK was an honor to God and WOULD LEAD TO a prosperous reward (HEAVEN). • Those who were WEALTHY WERE OBVIOUSLY BLESSED BY GOD and were in good standing with Him.

  5. RELIGIOUS EXCLUSIVENESS was the foremost principle of their society. PEOPLE OF OPPOSING VIEWS WERE ASKED TO LEAVE the community. • They believed that God could forgive anything, but MAN COULD FORGIVE ONLY BY SEEING A CHANGE IN BEHAVIOR. Actions spoke louder than words, so ACTIONS HAD TO BE CONSTANTLY CONTROLLED. • Anyone straying from the Puritan way of life met with STRICT DISCIPLINE. There was no margin for error. • CHURCH ELDERS WERE ALSO POLITICAL LEADERS, any church infraction was also a social one. • Puritans believed that THE DEVIL WALKED THE EARTH and that HE WAS BEHIND EVERY EVIL DEED. • CONSTANT WATCH needed to be kept OVER OTHER MEMBERS OF SOCIETY in order to stay away from his clutches. • People were ENCOURAGED by the church TO SPY ON THEIR NEIGHBORS

  6. Puritanism has become renowned for its OPPOSITION TO ALL FORMS OF ENTERTAINMENT - especially gambling and drinking, but also reading, music and dancing. • These attitudes, together with the banning of the wearing of jewelry and other items of fashion, have given the Puritans a REPUTATION FOR BEING PRUDISH AND 'KILL-JOYS'. • READING OF THE BIBLE was necessary to living a pious life and CHILDRENWERE QUIZZED on the Bible at school and at home. • All forms of ENTERTAINMENT were BANNED in their in Puritan society • Drama and books led to “immorality” • Music created a "dreamy" state that blocked out the voice of God. • The only ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF ENTERTAINMENT: reading THE BIBLE and writing POETRY – always RELIGIOUS in content.

  7. The following is an example of Puritan poetry. “Upon a Fit of Sickness” by Anne Bradstreet Not quite twenty years since I was born, my life is over, I am facing death. Everybody must die, it can’t be changed, it is God’s word (which he gave to Adam). Yet, I will live, this life is meaningless, in a place of happiness where I’ll have all I want. What is this life except for worry and trouble since we’re born? Our strength wastes away, time flies, and then we’re dead. This life is like a bubble that bursts – here one second, gone the next. Give me the grace do to good while I’m alive, and I’ll welcome death because it is Your law. Though it cost me much, I’m losing nothing if I live purely and ensure that I will be saved (go to Heaven). The race is over, I have won, I am victorious. Know this jealous devil, you lose!

  8. Analysis (write this down!) The speaker is dying. • Speaker • Occasion • Audience • Purpose • Subject • Tone • Puritan teenager. NOT Anne Bradstreet. Don’t confuse author with speaker. Puritans who may be suffering a similar fate. Those who have doubts or are sad about dying. To illustrate that death is not a loss, but rather a victory if you’re a good Puritan. Victorious! Triumphant! Unlike what one would expect from a 19 year old who is about to die, there is no complaint, no “why me?” The speaker is looking forward to leaving this world of suffering and joining God in Heaven – the ultimate Puritan goal! Death. Particularly death at a young age. Also, faith and why one should have it.

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