The Modern Puritan

From the previous readings from The Crucible by Arthur Miller and The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, one can conclude that the Puritans had a very different lifestyle and behaviors from the modern man. Puritans were extremely religious English Protestants; they lived simple lives, free of pleasure or luxury as it was seen as sinful. Although Puritans identified a religious group, it has evolved to been used to describe a person who sticks to strict moral or religious values.

The way of thinking has drastically shifted from eighteenth century; the modern age is more independent and liberated in morals. Even though the majority of the nation have the luxury of freedom, strict principles and beliefs could still apply in certain lifestyles. For example, the Amish, a group of traditional Christians known for simple living and avoiding technology can be viewed as a modern puritan group. Both Puritan and Amish shun members who cannot be repented for their sins, and usually resulted in excommunication. However, the extent of enforcing rules is very different; Puritans were willing to severely punish law breakers, held hunts and burning at the stakes while the Amish are pacifists and does not resort to violence.

The Puritans were an extremely forceful group, however perished as they could not keep up with the changing times. Even though the Amish lived a lifestyle similar as the Puritans based on simple living and religion based, the Amish’s religious enforcement is not as cruel. However, there are groups that could reach the same extent in punishment and emphasis on rules that are not necessarily for religious purposes.