The Religious, Political, and Social Philosophies during the Essay

The Religious, Political, and Social Philosophies during the Enlightenment and Puritan Period - Essay Example It is evident from the study that history gives us stories about different times and the reaction of people accordingly in that period. History is full of political, religious and social diversifications and the reaction of people to it. Puritan and enlightenment periods also refer to the history. In the puritan period people used to keep away from secular life and lived a life according to religion. They believed that no one is more powerful than god and god is regardless of everything. In the enlightenment period however, people became more tilted towards their worldly lives as intellectuals like Isaac Newton changed the view of how things worked. People started to change their views about the making and survival of universe. The political, social and religious philosophies changed a lot in the puritan and enlightenment period. The people in the puritan period thought in a very different way than that of enlightenment period. Religion played an important role in Puritan life. They thought that they were preferred by God for a unique reason and that they must live their life in a righteous manner. Everyone was expected to be present at the meeting on the Sabbath. The ones not reading the bible were thought to be with the devil. All the preparations of this occasion were made before the occasion. The Sabbath began at sundown the night before, and the evening was spent in prayer and Bible study. The church used to be a small building in which everyone sat according to the seat assigned to them. They sat silent as the Sabbath went on and the church’s discipline in charge (the beacons) used to keep an eye on everyone and punish the mischief makers. People of the puritan age did not like music in their services. It was many years before any musical instruments were allowed in the church. So in the puritan age the religion had strong hold over the peoples mind and thus the people were more attached to it. (â€Å"Puritan Life and Religion†) It was obvio us that their religion was to affect their political and social beliefs and practices as well. During the puritan age, the political ideas of the kings and queens were bitterly resented. The people in the puritan age opposed the monarchy and tried to loosen the hold of gentry on the whole society. The people of the puritan age wanted democracy as the means of controlling and running an economy. In England, the puritan movement led to great emphasis to limit the power of monarchs and to form a constitution that gives the people their right in a legal way. Moreover the people of the puritan age believed that the power of Methodist church should rise as the people of the puritan age followed it and it would be easy to pass directives from the church according to their religion. The puritan people also favored the ideas of economic protectionism and local elections. (Wilson) The puritans had strict rules for their social life as well. They paid less interest in educating their children as they thought that on reading bible is necessary to lead a pious life. Men and women were supposed to refrain from evil activities as they have to answer god for all their deeds. These rules limited the social activities of the people from the puritan era and also created a class that began to oppose them and criticize them for being strict. (Kizer) In contrast, the enlightenment period, also known as the age of awakening, gave success to ideas that were proven by experiments and could be proved. As the people of the enlightenment period were already tired of strict religious measures which restricted them from doing anything they tried to put some leniency in the religion. Although this was opposed by many individuals as being with the devil but still people were relaxed to have some relief. (â€Å"The Age of the Enlightenment†) Strict Protestantism was opposed and people were given freedom in the church. The