The Modern Puritan

               The Puritans, as a religion, obviously do not exist today as they did in the late 1600’s and early 1700’s in the American colonies. The most similar in appearance are the modern Amish, who, like the Puritans, live in isolated communities separated from the more modern, more moderate outside world. While there are clear similarities between the Amish and the Puritans, there are enough differences that they should not be clumped under the same umbrella.

However, I would argue that there are religious groups that subscribe to Puritanical beliefs to this day. While the intentions of the Puritans were good, most of these groups, as the Puritans did during the Salem Witch Trials, spread their message through intolerance. The Westboro Baptist Church preaches “Hell and Damnation” and holds the Puritanical belief that God damns all sinners (meaning that the larger community they are a part of is going to Hell). Their intolerance towards LGBT people and towards the soldiers that protect our country is parallel to the views of many Salemites during the witch trials towards witches. Also, similarly to the Puritans, they are thought of as fanatics by the majority of the population. Another example would be the radical Islamic views held by certain groups in the Middle East, including Iran. Iran is a full-fledged theocracy—just like the Puritan communities. Religious dissent is usually not tolerated and adultery usually results in the execution of the adulteress (a punishment that could have befallen Hester Prynne).

While the Puritans did not stand the test of time, their ideas live on and exist in several places in this world. Is this humanity dooming itself to make the same mistake twice? Or is this the expression of humanity’s incredibly strong piety and faith? Only time will tell what will come of the Modern Puritans.
Edit: I realize this sounds very negative. I do not believe that Puritanism in and of itself is a negative thing, however, I do feel that the way it has been expressed historically and even into modern times has been through intolerance of those who do not share the same beliefs. I believe that being a "Puritan" involves striving to make not just yourself, but also others, better people, not to vilify those who do not agree with your beliefs.