Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Interesting question. Philosophically, Puritanism at bottom sought to make a better populace through an emphasis on morality that would govern one's life. And this would be in context of focusing on how individuals took to heart the concept of how they worked towards the 'public good'. it was important to be 'virtuous' for that to them insured that if they indeed gave themselves to the public good by being 'virtuous' then the republic would live on. If public virtue declined then the republic would decline with it. For the Puritans being immoral would lead to tyranny.
Do we have this relationship existing in our society today? I don't think so. We just seem to be more individualistic and becoming less outwardly religious namely having a more secular orientation to institutions and in beliefs. Really I'm not so sure people want to be 'virtuous' as Paul Puritan was. Too much of an encumbrance, too quick to take umbrage when it comes to assessing legislating moralities. We are definitely in a different state in a much different time.
Interesting question. Philosophically, Puritanism at bottom sought to make a better populace through an emphasis on morality that would govern one's life. And this would be in context of focusing on how individuals took to heart the concept of how they worked towards the 'public good'. it was important to be 'virtuous' for that to them insured that if they indeed gave themselves to the public good by being 'virtuous' then the republic would live on. If public virtue declined then the republic would decline with it. For the Puritans being immoral would lead to tyranny.
Do we have this relationship existing in our society today? I don't think so. We just seem to be more individualistic and becoming less outwardly religious namely having a more secular orientation to institutions and in beliefs. Really I'm not so sure people want to be 'virtuous' as Paul Puritan was. Too much of an encumbrance, too quick to take umbrage when it comes to assessing legislating moralities. We are definitely in a different state in a much different time.
This philosphy was one of the mindsets which helped found out culture. Its still found in bits and pieces, especially in the way some must leglislate everyone's choices and behavior specifically on 'moral' grounds. If the rules fall the society collapses. This runs counter to the other major theme in migration, to stake out your space and live life the way you choose. It's a competition which despite massive change has never really gone away. But I don't think anyone but a few sects would want to live as 'purely' as the Puritans.
Let's not forget our "good ol' American" work ethic, because it also stemmed from Puritan values. Same is true with our "traditional" management style -- trying to catch people slacking off and punishing them, while ignoring good-to-excellent performance simply because it was expected.
I think it is funny when many self-righteous Americans call themselves decendents of Puritans seeking religeous freedom when after the country was established, th government openly discriminated Mormons and tried to kill them.
As a whole Puritans were not influential in Britain in the 1600`s and 1700`s, they were a fringe group, thought of as weird religious bores. England was awash with gin, violence, **** fighting, a rough place. The puritans had had enough.
I think it is funny when many self-righteous Americans call themselves decendents of Puritans seeking religeous freedom when after the country was established, th government openly discriminated Mormons and tried to kill them.
The Puritans didn't bother to wait to become a country before discriminating against people of other faiths. They were hanging Quakers in the 17th century. They were looking for religious freedom for themselves, and were not particularly interested in extending it to others.
In my experience it is interesting going to a country (Italy comes to mind) that did not have the heavy-handed puritan cultural influence. There is a subtle difference in individual behavior and a slight up-tick in personal freedom (for lack of a better word). There is less of a guilt trip if you chose to behave a little different as long as you don't infringe or hurt others. Sometimes the Catholic church has a strong moral influence but it is different these days than in the past and different from the puritan influence we have here.
You're talking about Calvinism. The "true faith" died out quickly, according to Perry Miller, Edmond Morgan and many others. On the other hand, as one poster has already pointed out, revivalism has survived and thrived throughout the US. It's a far more flexible, forgiving and positive faith than Calvinism.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
