A Rocky Start
During the late 1500's and early 1600's Christianity was spreading throughout the vast lands of Europe, England being included. In 1531, the English Church (Church of England) breaks away from the Roman Catholic church. King Henry VIII was in reign and head of the newly developed church. The Church of England did not allow any other religious toleration or practices on the soil of England. Christianity, spreading like wild fire, blazed throughout the English/Irish continent. Many citizens professed their faith as Anglican, which is the Church of England, and Puritans. The king being the leader of the Church of England, persecuted the any other branches of Christianity. The Puritans were not allowed to practice their religion freely, therefore resenting the king.
2007-09-11 06:24:52 · 5 answers · asked by John C 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Puritans did not believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and other doctrines of the Church of England. They wanted the churches stripped of all finery - priest's vestments, candles & candlesticks, artwork depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary, wanted stained-glass windows broken, etc. The Puritans hated the BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER.
As the Monarchy was the defender of the faith, the Puritans, and their allies, the Presbyterians, exectued King Charles, and displaced the monarchy for a time. During this time, they burned artwork of the saints, destroyed stained-glass windows, stabled cattle in church buildings to show their contempt for the church, etc. However, the majority of the English people supported the Anglican Church, the BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER, and the Monarchy, and all were restored.
The Puritans worked to destroy the Anglican Church. When many of the immigrated to Massachusetts so they could have "religious freedom", they denied freedom of religion to anyone except themselves. The Puritans are the ultimate hypocrits in history. Just ask the innocent women they burned as witches in Salem!!!! You can also ask the Quakers. The Puritans executed Quakers in New England by hanging the Quakers!!!
2007-09-14 01:07:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christianity had been in England from the times of the Romans. The Puritans were non-conformist, and left England (short answer)
2007-09-11 06:32:33 · answer #2 · answered by great gig in the sky 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
So then the puritans fled to America to avoid persecution and started persecuting people themselves.
They were burning people at the stake for being witches.
To a puritan witch was a euphemism for non-believer.
2007-09-11 06:32:44 · answer #3 · answered by sprcpt 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Puritans left England because it wasn't religious enough. That's why there are so many repressed people in this country.
2007-09-11 06:29:56 · answer #4 · answered by Peter D 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't see any question....
2007-09-11 06:32:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋