Puritanism is by no means an abusive word meaning something not very pleasant. Increasingly, this epithet is awarded to people who monitor the severity of morals and observe excessive stiffness and purity, but the true meaning and significance of this term remains a mystery to many to this day. Are Puritans really as bad as many believe, and what does the word really mean?
Puritanism originated in England at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries and until the 18th century was a religious and political movement that formed the basis of the opposition forces of the feudal aristocracy. The Puritans preached a particular strict observance of religious rituals, the rejection of entertainment and excesses, and an ascetic lifestyle that did not allow anything that was excessive or could be considered liberty. In the heyday of the lavish lifestyle of the English aristocracy, the Puritans took a critical position and opposed wastefulness. Gradually, Puritanism, as a religious movement, came to naught, but the enormous influence of the philosophy of his adherents on the minds and views of England at that time cannot be denied. Speaking for the liberation of the Church of England from the remnants of the Catholic religion, the Puritans made a huge contribution to the formation and formation of the religious base of Great Britain today. And calls for frugality and harsh criticism of the wasteful lifestyle of the aristocracy led to the formation of a theory of capital accumulation common to the whole bourgeoisie. Which was also of great historical significance. If one deviates from history and returns at the present time, one can notice a certain connection between the theories preached by Puritans and the way of life of some people. And now there are those who do not accept luxury and advocate strict standards in life, life and family. A negative connotation to the term “puritan” is given by people who, on the contrary, strive for a free life filled with blessings, pleasures, and luxury. Of course, one cannot say unequivocally that puritanism is a way of thinking of ascetics and people who are consciously striving to deprive themselves of all the joys of life. But to condemn and even more so to criticize these views is also not worth it. Puritanism, like many other philosophies and theories, certainly has the right to life and its followers. And even if it personally seems to you that the propaganda of such a way of life is stupid and completely meaningless, you should not criticize it, much less consider it wrong. Puritans make their choice consciously, just like other people do. Learn to respect this choice and try to understand it.
