Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Chapters 7 & 8
In recent years, the growing popularity of witchcraft, a neopagan religion with many traditions derived from pre-Christian and prehistoric religions, has caught the public eye. There are stores that sell witchcraft-related wares, movies with witches as heroes, and popular books about pagan religious traditions. InThe Scarlet Letter, however, the portrayal of witches—particularly Mistress Hibbins, the sister of Governor Bellingham, is far more negative. What differences between Puritan New England and American culture today account for the fact that the practice of witchcraft is no longer considered an abhorrent crime? How has society changed during that span of time?
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The differences between Puritan New England and American culture today are that in the Puritan communities, the laws were based on religion and today it doesn't matter what religion you are because the laws are not based on what religion you are. So witchcraft would only be illegal if you harmed someone or did anything else that was illegal. Society has changed tremendously. The technology is no where near what they had back then. The general population is also much more intelligent.
ReplyDeleteToday's society is characterized by its religious freedom. People today have the right to believe in whoever they want; therefore the practice of witchcraft is not illegal. On the other hand, the Puritans came to America to build a perfect and pure religious community that believed in God. Believing in the devil was considered a sin, and many people who did were punished. From the 1600's to today, society witnessed a major change. Everything changed: transportation, communication, the way people eat, the way people dress,education, etc. Those can be related to the evolution of Man and how one's needs change with time.
ReplyDeleteAfter the Salem Witch Trials, Americans soon found out that witchcraft was part of their imagination, and let their imaginations run wild. In those days, convicted witches were prisoned and even killed for a "crime" they never committed. The Purtains had a theocracy, or government supported by religous leaders and laws. Witchcraft was such an awful crime in the 1600's because it was going against God; the worst thing a Puritan could do. Today, we have many more freedoms, which allow us to express ourselves however we like. Witchcraft does not really harm anyone, so it is free to practice. Society has changed greatly over the years, allowing citizens more rights and fair laws. The court system is also fair, allowing everyone a fair trial.
ReplyDeleteIn the Puritan culture they believed that everybody should believe in 1 God and any one who did anything different was to be punished. Today you have the right to believe in whatever religon or however many gods you want to because of the seperation of church and state. The only time religion gets you introuble is if you harm someone like Hitler or those other jerks. Society has changed a lot. From religion to technology almost everything is 100 percent different, for better or for worse.
ReplyDeletePuritan New England culture was strictly religous to the point of intimidation as a means of getting people to worship. American culture today entitles citizens religous freedom. Witchcraft could not be considered a crime today because religous freedom is a basic right. Although if you harm someone while practicing you religion then you may face consequences for your actions. The way people think about witchcraft has changed dramatically. The word witches had a negative connotation in Puritan New England and now not as much belief is put into the practice. The government is also extremely different court systems are provided and it is seen to that everyone recieves a fair nd speedy trial. In Puritan New England the jury had no way of remaining unbias on a topic. So changes in thought and in action have affected the issue of witchcraft and how it is dealt with.
ReplyDeleteIn the Puritan lifestyle witchcraft was a big thing, but the people these days are a lot smarter and know that it doesn't exist. Your religion also doesn't matter because there are many different religions that occupy America, so our government doesn't base punishments according to your religion.
ReplyDeletePuritan New England culture was based solely on their belief in one god. They believed that their was only one god to worship and everyone had to conform to those ideas. Anyone who didn't follow those ideas were looked negatively upon. Today we have freedom of religion and we have the choice to believe in whatever we like. So if you want to believe in witches, no one will condemn you for it. Society has changed greatly over the years. We now have newer technology and more rights. We now have equality among people that we lacked before.
ReplyDeleteIn the Puritan culture during the Salem Witch Tirals, Americans soon found out that witchcraft was fake, and let their minds roam around in search for order when there was none to be found. In those days, people that were found guilty of "witchcraft" were prisoned and even killed for commiting this crime. The Purtains had a government supported by religous leaders and laws. Witchcraft was the worst possible crime in this era because it was going against God; which is the worst thing a Puritan could do. Today, we have the freedom to express ourselves however we please to do so. This supposed "witchcraft" doesn't physically harm anyone, so it is free to practice. Society has greatly changed allowing people of all kinds more rights and fair laws. The governement has evolved to a point where it is fair for all people.
ReplyDeleteIn old times witchcraft was a very serious crime. The Puritan culture based all their laws and pretty much everything else off of their religion. They all strictly believed in the same thing & if one person didn't not believe in the same thing, everyone looked at them differentlty. Now, puritan laws aren't based off of religion. American culture has also changed due to the fact that everyone has religious freedom. Society has changed in beliefs & in actions during this span of time. Everyone now has a fair punishment if they have done something against the law. Witchcraft is also looked upon very differently because they're no laws for performing witchcraft, however if you harm someone when your pacticing your religion there is a punishment.
ReplyDeleteTheir are a few reasons why witchcraft is no longer considered a serious crime. First of all, religion does not play a role in any laws we have today. Another thing is that other religions are more accepted. In puritan society being a puritan was the only thing that was accepted. In today's society we have the freedom of religion which contributes to the acceptance of witchcraft. Not everyone believes in witchcraft and if they don't believe in it they usually don't have an opposition to it.
ReplyDeleteThe difference of what the Puritan New England Way is and American culture today is,that we have freedom to believe and do whatever we choose to do. There is no law that says it is wrong to be a witch,because people are entitled to do what they please as long as they don't harm others. The puritan New England way was that all laws were based on religion and that god had to be the center of everything ,anything other would be a sin/crime. People were punished for being different and being a witch.
ReplyDeleteThe differences between the Puritan and American culture are largely different because of how religion was dealt with. In the Puritan community there were very strict and if you committed a public sin you would go to jail. In American culture today you would only go to jail if you endangered somebody else in what you were doing and is not based on your sin which witchcraft was a sin for the Puritan culture. Society has changed a lot because of the freedom it gives. In your own free will if you wanted to practice witchcraft you could without committing a crime unlike in the Puritan culture.
ReplyDeleteThe difference between Puritan New England culture and American culture today is based largely on religion and law. For instance, in American society today people are allowed to believe what they want. For istance, if someone believes in witchcraft they won't be punished. However if it was a Puritan society like in the Salem Witch Trials witchery would be considered a sin. They would be punished for their beliefs. However, in American society today people are able to believe in whatever they want. Society has been modified a lot, meaning that we have freedoms such as freedom of speech and religion.
ReplyDeleteIn Puritan New England, there was one religion which everyone was supposed to believe and follow. This religion is also what ran society, so when witchcraft originated people were executed for following this religion opposite of what the political religion was. In American culture today, we have religious tolerance. This allows anyone to practice any religion they want so it is not considered a crime. Society has changed since Puritan New England times because religion and politics no longer mesh together. There is a clear line between the two.
ReplyDeleteThe Puritan societies were theocracies, which meant that they were lead under religous beliefs. This caused the highly religious society to believe that anything different than them was possesed by the devil. As societies have progressed, we have distanced ourselves more and more from religion playing a major role in society. Society today has also become much more tolerant of all religions and has grown knowledgeable about there being no devil running amongst us in this day and age.
ReplyDeleteThe Puritans were run by a theocracy, which intitled the church officals to lead the government. If you had any different belifs on religon you were considered to be possesed by the devil, and were punished severely. As years passes and the Salem Witch Trials were over the society realised that witchcraft was all fake and people were falsly accused. In society today we have vierd away from running out government off religous belifs. Our government has changed so much and so has society, we now have a fair court system and people can practice whatever religion they want. Witch craft today is not serious at all, no one looks at it as a threat and people could not be punished for praticing it.
ReplyDeleteTodays culture is completely different then it use to be during the puritan era. Back then everything was based on religion, and thats what the people had to live by. No matter what they did their rules revolved around that structure, and if they did anything wrong they were believed to have been taken over by the devil. These days society has many different religions and our laws are based around all of them that way no one is left out.
ReplyDeleteThere is a huge difference between the views of society on witchcraft in today's society as opposed to the Puritan Era. Puritan laws were based on religion due to it being a Theocracy while our laws today are based on the Democratic ideas of our Founding Fathers and the leaders of our country. Also, the people of our current society are much more diverse and open to new interesting ideas. Also science and beliefs that witchcraft actually does not exsist is also a reason for this change in opionion of witches.
ReplyDeleteBack in the Puritan Era, laws were based upon Puritan religious beliefs; a crime was considered anything against the "Puritan way." And also people were judged by other people in their town if they seemed to not believe in the Puritan religion. Today, we have freedom of religion and are, therefore, not punished for our actions based on religious beliefs.
ReplyDeleteIn the Puritan life they were all base off of religion and how people should live their lives. Today in America people dont care about religion. Its not a crime to be a catholic and another person be a baptist. Religion is no law today. Everything has changed. The laws back then may not be the laws now. Everything is more realistic rather than opinionated.
ReplyDeleteSince the Puritan Ers times have changed dramatically. They used to look at what religion you were and basse everything off of that. They looked at witchcraft as such a horrible crime where now we can look at it more realistically and see that it is ridiculous to believe in. They were killed and tortured if found out that they were committing witchcraft where now everyone ahad a fair trial. We are much more intelligent with the way that we look at the laws and our imagination is more focused than back then.
ReplyDeleteDuring puritan times, people saw religion as simply the way of life, and guidelines to follow during their time on earth. They ridiculed anyone who went against their religion, and any sign of witchcraft was taken as the most serious offense, resulting in sometimes violent and inhumane consequences. Today, however, our nation is founded upon our belief that everyone has the right to choose their religion, with no prosecution. By law, you may have whatever religion you choose, but if that religion causes you to commit a crime, that's when it becomes illegal, and the court of justice comes into play.
ReplyDeleteDifferences between the puritan and american cultures are a big diffrence because of how religion was dealt with. In the puritan community there were very strict and if you commited a public sin you would go to jail. In our american culture today you would only go to jail if you endangered somebody else in what you were doing and is not based on your sin. In your own freedom you can practice witchcraft without commiting a crime unlike the puritan.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the Puritan life they were controlled by a Theocracy.If one person did not follow the same exact religious beliefs as everyone else there were very high consequences. So when people were practicing "dark magic" or accused of being witches they were jailed and even killed.This was going extremely against there Puritan values because it was going against God. Today in American society everyone has there own religious freedom. They can practice whatever religion they want and even practice witchcraft without hurting anyone. Everyone has equal rights with equal punishment in America today.
ReplyDeleteThe difference is that in American society today we can choose to believe in whatever religion we want. So witchcraft in American society today is no big deal. However, the Puritans believed in and set up a theological government(where the Bible/God's word is law). So witchcraft was definintely a big deal and was punishable by death. So Society has completely changed from then to now in almost every way possible.
ReplyDeletePuritan life and laws are very different then the laws that govern us now. In the Puritan Era the government was a Theocracy. Because society was controlled by religion, anything going against what was assumed as the only correct way to practice religion, was wrong. Puritans believe that witchcraft meant convening with the devil and therefore was punishable by death. Today we are governed by a Democracy, which allows freedom of religion. As long as witchcraft doesn't harm anyone in society, people today are free to practice it.
ReplyDeleteI believe the main difference between the two era's is quite simply the fact that religion does not rule over as much as it used to. Thats not necesarilly a bad thing. Being that many laws born from simple religion are backwards and quite frankly unnecessary. The protrayel of witches in the scarlet letter shows how the main consensus of witches was.
ReplyDeleteSociety has drastically changed from the time period of the Puritans. The Puritans society did not separate church and state, like our society does today. Thier laws were based on the Bible. If you were to think differently about the Puritans faith or break a law, which was God's word, you were looked down upon or even put to death. Now a days we have the seperation of church and state, and we are able to pick a religion that we would like to follow. Which allows people to be able to be more open about thier views. And people arent put to death or looked down upon because of those views.
ReplyDeleteThe Puritans were very strong believers in the Bible and they followed very strict rules, too. Anyone who did anything that wasn't in their strict code, like in the Salem Witch Trials, we believed to be a follower of the devil or a witch. Nowadays, since there are multiple religions in our society, we may not follow, but are more accepting of foreign beliefs.
ReplyDeleteThe Puritan religion with their unwavering, and extremely stern belief in god compelled them to see any religion as not just inferior but almost as an infectious disease that should be severely dealt with. On the other end, American society is like a melting pot. With all of the different beliefs in one place, has greatly infuenced the acceptence of diverce religions and traditions. Witch craft is not look on as an extreme offence against god in america, because of the diverce religions.
ReplyDeleteThe differences between Puritan New England and the American culture today are in today’s society we are allowed to follow any type religion or have any religious beliefs. In Puritan New England they believed that if you did things that were unchristian like you were imprisoned or killed. In America today we believe in the practice of religious freedom so if you believed in doing things such as witchcraft or the devil you aren’t put down for your beliefs. Society has changed since the early 1600s because now women have much more power in society, we have freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of press, and no one is put down for their race or beliefs.
ReplyDeleteThe diffrence bewteen the purtian era and todays world on the subject of witches is that back in New England 1600 the purtian people ran there lives based on religon. A witch is commonly considered to be a satanic religon thus making it impossible for it to be accepted in the puritan society. In our world today any religon is accepted
ReplyDeletePuritan laws are very different then the American culture today. Puritans were very judgemental as well as having many punishments when someone went against the puritan beliefs. In the American society, church and government are separated. People are allowed to believe in what they want and not be ridiculed for it. Society has changed by having equal freedoms and rights and not being punished for going against one's beliefs. Justice is in play. Also the laws have more leeway in some circumstances and punishment is decided by the court instead of by a few people determining what to do with the "criminal".
ReplyDeleteI think the change has to do with the popularity and influence of religion. Back then religion was closly tied into law and how people thought and lived every moment of their lives. Now-a-days the emphasis on religion if far less. In an age where sci-fi games, movies, and books are extremely popular witchcraft is another supernatural power that is considered cool. Its not really thought of in the same way as before, where people dont consider it sinful, but just another excuse to create a click or use powers to destroy things.
ReplyDeleteThere are some differences between Puritan New England and American culture today in the issue of practice of witchcrafts. One of the reason may be that we have the freedom of religious that is protected by the constitution. Back in the Purian New England time, if people live in that area, it's their responsibility to go to the church and follow all the rules, and would not do anything that is prohibited by the Bible. But nowadays, people have the right to choose which religion they want to follow, whenever and which ever they want. After Salem Witchcraft, people found out that the witches weren't real, they can't produce any harm. Therefore, it's not a crime to practice witchcraft anymore.
ReplyDeletePuritan values were based on religion. Today, our values are based on strictly right and wrong and the harm of others. No matter what religion, you follow the same law. The people to day are open to new ideas that can prove a theory wrong, such a witchcraft. I think the opinion of witch craft has changed because science says that it is not true, therefore people must believe it. Whether it is true or not, people today rely of evidence and our evidence is what science proves; witchcraft isnt real.
ReplyDeleteMost peole are more open to new ideas today then they were in the puritan time. Their values were based on religon. And today our values are based on right and wrong. In this day we have proof that witchcraf isnt real..back then they didnt.
ReplyDeleteIn puritan america, religion and government were one and the same. Today, they are separated. This makes it easier for people to be more open and accepting of different cultures and ideas. Today it isn't a crime for a person to practice witchcraft because religion isn't a part of the law. Back then the puritan religion denounced witchcraft as evil.
ReplyDeleteThe main difference is the way people lived during each time period. Now times are a little different. Because this country is more free than it was in the 1600s more people are willing to try different things and no one will stop them. Back then, the laws were based on the bible. If you tried things that were not allowed by the bible then your time is done...
ReplyDeleteReligion isn't a question in society anymore. You get to choose when it comes to your beliefs. Back then, Puritan beliefs were that of only beliving in one god, and one god only, with the others being severly punished. From then to now, society has been through many evident changes. Things such as our education, to the way we dress have changed greatly.
ReplyDeleteThe differences between Puritan New England and American culture today are that in the Puritan era witchcraft was punished but now they are not. Religion is not as widely talked about as back then. One religion was enforced and now there are many different kinds including witchcraft. Society now gives citizens more rights and fair laws. Society also accepts more diversity, as well.
ReplyDeleteOne of the biggest differences between Puritan society and our own is the forms of government. Puritan society was run by a severely church-linked theocracy. Whereas in modern society the government and religion are kept separate. Due to the separation of church and country people have gained the freedom to practice whatever religion they choose. As education grew and people became more intelligent they also became more accepting, not always fearing the unknown which allowed the practice of witchcraft to become less denounced and more commonplace.
ReplyDeleteThe major differences between modern day and Puritan society is the development of science and education. The Puritan's are not to be blamed for their naive and often fearful views towards witchcraft because they're just a product of their time; but through the progression of time, tolerance and curiosity has changed people perspectives on this issue.
ReplyDeleteThe Putirtan religion was very strict. They were all about control and order and if someone was not like everyone else that was wrong. The thought that witches were in the town. That the devil could possibly take over somebodys body was terrifying.. Now more diversity is allowed and not illegal.
ReplyDeleteThe puritan society was very religious and was against displays of individualism or freedom which could be traced to witchcraft that is against both and religion. In modern day America, people have more freedoms and different ways of life are being accepted.
ReplyDeleteThe puritan's were very strict. They wanted you to do everything the bibles way or its the highway. In modern day America, the rules were less strict and you had more leeway. Society has gradually changed throughout the time of the puritans. It has became less strict, like that you dont have to follow the bible word for word.
ReplyDeleteThe differences are that in today's society religion is not practiced so strictly. Also people have expanded and gained new beliefs that have tranformed religions into what people what them to be. However the people of Puritain New England were norrow minded and brain washed so that no-one could express different beliefs.
ReplyDeleteBACK THEN, RELIGION WAS A STRONG FACTOR.. NOW, PEOPLE BARELY EVEN CARE. IF SOMEONE WAS TO BE KNOWN FOR PRACTICING WITCHCRAFT THESE DAYS, IT WOULD BE NORMAL SORTA SPEAK BUT BACK IN THE 1600S, SOMEONE WOULD'VE BEEN THROWN IN JAIL. THESE DAYS, TIME HAS EXPANDED INTO A MORE UNSTABILIZED SOCIETY SO THE DOING OF OTHERS ISN'T REALLY CARED.
ReplyDeleteThe laws were based on the puritan religion and today the laws are based on justice. Technology is the big change from back then and we are a lot more intelligent.
ReplyDeleteThe difference between Puritan New England and American is that today people are allowed to believe or practice any religion they want. Puritan culture only believed in Christianity. If you worshipped witchcraft as a Puritan, you would be severely punished. As today, you won't be punished worshipping witchcraft. Society changed because now people have freedom to believe what they want, without punishment.
ReplyDeletePuritan New England there was only one religion everyone was supposed to follow. This governed society, so when people started being accused of witchcraft, these people were following a different religion which was punishable by death. In American today we have freedom to believe whatever we want. So no one is punished for believing what they want. Society has changed because law and religion are no longer associated. We now have freedom of religion.
ReplyDeleteUnlike today, the Puritans focused all their thoughts and time into their religion. Also with our laws in America like freedom of speech, and religion. Since the 1692 accident they have been trying to show that witches are no longer a problem, so thats why they are heros in movies.
ReplyDeleteAlison Fischetti Period 2 - The difference between Puritan culture and our American culture today is the wide variety of religions. While Puritans focused solely on religion, Americans today have the choice of being any religion from Christian to Atheist. Witchcraft is no longer illegal because of the broad choice of religious freedom. Unless one is being harmed, witchcraft is legal. Society has evolved into a more accepting community of individuals who are now more educated and not as narrow-minded as the Puritans.
ReplyDeleteBrielle Schiff- I think that the difference is that people do not really care in this day and age because everyone has their own rights to their own freedom and can practice whatever they like. Yes peeople still judge but they are more open to the differences in society.
ReplyDeleteWitchcraft is different because today people can care less if they were dark clothes because they don't believe in stuff like that. As in the Puritan town believed otherwise that if they were wearing dark or goth like clothes, they were judged to be witches. People are always gonna judge other people no matter what.
ReplyDelete