The Puritans were a group of English protestants in the 17 and 1800's, who believed in demonic possession, and shared a very strict moral code. Some of the rules in this moral code included not enjoying any worldly pleasures on Sunday, the Sabbath, like drinking, or kissing one's wife. If someone did, they were subjected to severe punishment. I have the impression that the main idea of the puritan religion is to do the same things that everyone else does, and blend in.
In my opinion, the modern Puritan is someone who is always trying to blend in, and be like everyone else. This is seen a lot in elementary and high schools these days, where people are always trying to be "popular", and accepted by everybody, instead of being themselves.
Another example I thought of as "A modern puritan", is someone like an orthodox Jew. Although no one is punished for doing anything different, or out of the norm, there is always a certain set of rules you have to follow, like being required to have at least two children, and at least one boy, and one girl.
I recently saw The Book Of Mormon, and the spectacular Broadway show opened my eyes to the world of Mormonism. Although the story in the show was fictitious, many of the aspects of the mormon religion were true. For example, things like homosexuality, or not fasting on the first Sunday of every month, are against the Mormon religion, and if you do not follow these rules, they believe you will not go to heaven. Again, the Puritans were definitely more intense, because in their religion, if someone was thought to have been involved in witchcraft, they were put to the death.
I think every society has a "Modern Puritan", whether it is a big group of people, like the Mormon religion or orthodox Jews, or something that goes unnoticed, like a kid doing his or her best to fit in with everyone in school.
I don't necessarily agree with your description of the Puritan, saying that everyday Puritans are people who are just trying to blend in. I guess, in a sense, aren't we all? Not many people want to really stand out in people's minds, for the fear of being portrayed negatively. Such as in school, not many people decide to do anything great or significant, or even stupid that would leave an imprint of their image on another. We just do our own thing, and don't try to stand out.
ReplyDeleteI do however agree with your example of an orthodox Jew and Mormonism. There are certain standards or rules that you are being held up to, and if, at a young age you do not follow them, there is the chance of being punished elders. But, overall, you are expected to follow the rules, and if you do not comply, you can also be punished by your religion, in the sense of a God, or spirit, or anything else.
But yeah, good writing.