The Trial Of Anne Hutchinson
The Trial of Anne Hutchinson
The first word that comes to mind is unbelievable. Anne Hutchinson choose to privately believe in a theory that the Puritans way of thinking, was not the only or right way to think about religion. At first the Bay Colony found Anne to be an upright female citizen with knowledge and contributions to offer, as long as those contributions stayed within the theories and beliefs of the Puritans as they were known as “the people of God”. Governor Winthrop believed that in order to carry out the wishes of God against those whose beliefs were different or controversial was to use the theory of criminology to protect the public’s Christian needs over the needs of the private Christian.
Anne Hutchinson tried to be smart about her beliefs and teachings, she did not go public with her doctrines at the Bay Colony nor did she publicize her feelings on how the state should be changed from its current state. I think about how defeated she must have felt at times even scared but never letting her fears get the best of her. However, she still could not escape from being accused of “countenancing and incouraging “. She was also accused of holding meetings in her home which the General Assembly deemed as a condemned house because a female was not worthy of holding such meetings.
After being wrongly accused she defended herself to the General Assembly on all accusations that had been brought against her. It was not enough to win a battle that was already decided before it began. But to endure the injustice of a group of men following their interpretation of the word of God was incomprehensible. It was decided that the General Assembly including Governor Winthrop had no choice but to banish Anne Hutchinson and rid of her for her wrong doings. I found it challenging to believe how God’s word was meant to protect some, yet condemn others.
I believe that her courage open up doors for women and the right to speak freely and to be given a fair trial. A
The first word that comes to mind is unbelievable. Anne Hutchinson choose to privately believe in a theory that the Puritans way of thinking, was not the only or right way to think about religion. At first the Bay Colony found Anne to be an upright female citizen with knowledge and contributions to offer, as long as those contributions stayed within the theories and beliefs of the Puritans as they were known as “the people of God”. Governor Winthrop believed that in order to carry out the wishes of God against those whose beliefs were different or controversial was to use the theory of criminology to protect the public’s Christian needs over the needs of the private Christian.
Anne Hutchinson tried to be smart about her beliefs and teachings, she did not go public with her doctrines at the Bay Colony nor did she publicize her feelings on how the state should be changed from its current state. I think about how defeated she must have felt at times even scared but never letting her fears get the best of her. However, she still could not escape from being accused of “countenancing and incouraging “. She was also accused of holding meetings in her home which the General Assembly deemed as a condemned house because a female was not worthy of holding such meetings.
After being wrongly accused she defended herself to the General Assembly on all accusations that had been brought against her. It was not enough to win a battle that was already decided before it began. But to endure the injustice of a group of men following their interpretation of the word of God was incomprehensible. It was decided that the General Assembly including Governor Winthrop had no choice but to banish Anne Hutchinson and rid of her for her wrong doings. I found it challenging to believe how God’s word was meant to protect some, yet condemn others.
I believe that her courage open up doors for women and the right to speak freely and to be given a fair trial. A