The Influence of Religion on the Salem Witch Trials
CP English 11
03 January 2014
The Influence of Religion on the Salem Witch Trials It is easier to find the Devil in your neighbor than to admit to your own guilt. With the help of religious intensity it is easier to see them hanged as well. In 1692, in Salem, Massachusetts this religious intensity does just that. The Crucible, a play by Arthur Miller, portraits the grim events that are happening in this little town of Salem and demonstrates just how easily things can get out of hand. The people of Salem are Puritan, and their main focus is on pleasing God. Many of the sermons in the Puritan church are about hellfire and damnation, so they always live in fear of God’s retribution. “When difficulties in the community began to arise, the blame was easily placed on the Devil and the “witches” that were carrying out his work for him” (Shah 1). The fear of God’s wrath and the Devil can cause anyone to lay the blame on others so they themselves do not receive it. In Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, Puritans radical beliefs and intolerance are the source of irrational witchcraft accusations towards the people of Salem.
Most Puritans spend their time praying and at church. The Puritan church in Salem is led by a man named Parris. Most of his sermons are about the damnation of those who go against God and do the Devils work. “Parris preached a sermon indicating that even church members could turn themselves over to the devil” (American History 1). This places fear in the hearts of the people. This overwhelming fear leads to complete dedication and devotion to God so that they do not become damned or turn to the Devil. Complete dedication and devotion causes the people to become strict and judgmental, which lead to quick accusations. The Puritan religion is very strict and intolerant. “Puritan laws were extremely rigid and the members of society were expected to follow a strict moral code” (Shah 1). The people were forbidden to sing, play or
03 January 2014
The Influence of Religion on the Salem Witch Trials It is easier to find the Devil in your neighbor than to admit to your own guilt. With the help of religious intensity it is easier to see them hanged as well. In 1692, in Salem, Massachusetts this religious intensity does just that. The Crucible, a play by Arthur Miller, portraits the grim events that are happening in this little town of Salem and demonstrates just how easily things can get out of hand. The people of Salem are Puritan, and their main focus is on pleasing God. Many of the sermons in the Puritan church are about hellfire and damnation, so they always live in fear of God’s retribution. “When difficulties in the community began to arise, the blame was easily placed on the Devil and the “witches” that were carrying out his work for him” (Shah 1). The fear of God’s wrath and the Devil can cause anyone to lay the blame on others so they themselves do not receive it. In Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, Puritans radical beliefs and intolerance are the source of irrational witchcraft accusations towards the people of Salem.
Most Puritans spend their time praying and at church. The Puritan church in Salem is led by a man named Parris. Most of his sermons are about the damnation of those who go against God and do the Devils work. “Parris preached a sermon indicating that even church members could turn themselves over to the devil” (American History 1). This places fear in the hearts of the people. This overwhelming fear leads to complete dedication and devotion to God so that they do not become damned or turn to the Devil. Complete dedication and devotion causes the people to become strict and judgmental, which lead to quick accusations. The Puritan religion is very strict and intolerant. “Puritan laws were extremely rigid and the members of society were expected to follow a strict moral code” (Shah 1). The people were forbidden to sing, play or