Raised during the aftermath of the fall of the Spanish Armada to England, the Puritan generation they were children and grandchildren of the Protestant Reformation in Europe. An idealistic generation of the Colonial Cycle, the Puritans came to America seeking freedom, to practice religion in a manner different than that of the English. Puritans regarded New England as a place to establish a “visible” kingdom of God, a society where outward conduct would be according to God's laws. Puritanism is defined by…: “the intensity of the Puritan's commitment to a morality, a form of worship, and a civil society strictly conforming to God's commandments. ...[in colonial America] Puritanism meant the direction and control of civil authority.” (Encarta)They found their strengths in the formation of their congregation. They followed daily demanding schedules that were placed upon them by their minister leaders. “By placing the authority over religious appointments in the hands of the lay congregation, they sought to establish a purified church, which meant frequently harsh imposition of religious uniformity and conformity.” (Cody, D.) This led to the creation of various legal codes and standards. Puritanism became a way of life and a way of religion.The severe restrictions and demands of the Puritan religion can be viewed as their weakness. Masses were forced to follow the rigorous demands of their religion. There was no room for religious freedom or tolerance. Examples of their strict enforcement of values upon the general public follow: May 24, 1610, Jamestown: Sir Thomas Gates institutes "Laws Divine, Morall and Martial", a harsh, religion-based civil code 1618, Jamestown: Governor decrees that those who miss church will be jailed "lying neck and heels in the Corps of Gard ye night following and be a slave ye week following" August 14, 1619, Jamestown: The first gen...
