Introduction
Any Societal setting contains people who have been shaped up by different circumstances in life, for such people to work as a unit in society, rules are required so that their independent actions and beliefs can be coordinated in one way or another within the social setting. It is therefore believed that after the creation of the universe by God, He made a set of rules. The text has it that the first set of rules was presented to Moses while on Mount Sinai, written in two stone tablets. The rules were self-enforcing and it is therefore up to the individual to obey them. Apart from shaping the morals in society, the rules also help in decision-making in case of uncertainty or ignorance.
The Puritans were a group of the influential minority group of Protestants in the history of America who were opposed to the Settlement of the Elizabethan. They believed in simple Church rituals and doctrines which coincided mostly with Calvinism. A practice that they perceived to be “Pure”; Hence that is where they derived their name. The Puritans believe that to prosper in life, one had to have faith in God and do as HE commands in his rules. They said that it was He, God that promoted order and stability in the society. The Puritans advocated reforming the Church of England from what they considered intolerable practices associated with the Church of Rome. God is the Supreme authority and oversees all human affairs, as so expressed in the bible. This belief led the Puritans to seek individual and corporate conformity and achieve moral purity up-to-the finer detail. This essay will highlight the aspects that act together to form a society and how the rules apply or are interpreted to help keep the society from falling apart.
The Rules, Puritans, and Politics
It is believed that God created the world for man, and man was created for God. The man was in turn put in charge to rule over all creatures on earth within a strict rule placed over him by his creator to guide him within the society (Gen. 1 -NRSV). The fundamental unit of society is the Family, with the family obligations met right, then so will ethical and societal values. But a lot has changed with time. The Puritans were non-conformists and considered religion to be a very complex, subtle, and highly intellectual affair. They sort to bring the society into a “state of purity” by using the church to match the level that did exist during the days of Christ. This concept is highlighted by Patrick who gives God’s ability that “God’s knowledge is not limited by space or time, but it is how pure we are at heart that will determine His grace on us”. This is the belief that drove them to shade and stripe away most practices that they considered residual.
Some of the Puritan beliefs have since seized to apply in this generation, for instance, those that discriminated against women in voicing any concern in the church. What still stands now is the emphasis that they still put on every individual to undergo self-examination and accountability of one’s deeds. They still believe that a humble and obedient life is the best for peace and prosperity in society.
“In God, We Trust”… is a common line heard from most Christians and Puritans alike. It is common knowledge that by having a reference figure to which humans are answerable, people would be more responsible, and therefore be an obedient subjects to the societal set regulations. Therefore, by having God as the Ruler of the world, leave alone the society, immoral acts will decline or rather will be put under control. God’s role is vital in keeping a stable and sane society, free from filth. It is the belief that only the good will be rewarded, this belief is what has kept our societies from disintegrating, especially during this time of globalization and civilization of the 21st Century.
A lot has since changed since the rules were set up, and because many people have individual liberty, they can now openly challenge rules which might eventually lead to their replacement or review…the Puritans have not been left behind in this. Politics and Religion have been taken to be having a complex web of relationships. As much as it is believed that the two issues are apart, no distinct line can be drawn between them. Leaders are said to be chosen by God, and s are Political leaders. They are charged with the responsibility of watching over the other creations of God. Though it is never right to bring politics into the church and neither should any political sentiment discriminate against any religion. So, it is always a requirement to mind what comes out from the politician’s mouths on issues related to religion, especially those that may result in divisions in society.
Bibliography
Roxburghe Ballards (1847): “The Puritans”. University of Victoria…Quoted in McGrath 87-99, 398.
Neal, Daniel (1844). “The History of the Puritans”. New York: Harper. p. 246.
Geoffrey Brennan and James M. Buchanan. (1985). “The Reason of Rules”. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. P17-23.
Patrick Collinson. “The Puritan Character, p. 8; quoted in John Spurr (1998), “English Puritanism”, 1603-1689, p. 16; Macmillan.
Beeke, Joel, and Pederson, Randall. “Meet the Puritans: With a Guide to Modern Reprints” (2006).
Haigh, Christopher (1999). “English Reformations: Religion, Politics, and Society under the Tudors”. p131-263.
The Christian Holy Bible. The New Revised Standard Version,-NRSV.