Feature Article about the Puritans

The Background of the Puritans:

The puritans started off in New England, living their simple life, but sailed to America to regain their freedom of religion. In England, King Henry III would not let the puritans believe in what they wanted to, and even sent puritans to jail!

The puritans believed in "purifying and simplifying" churches. Worshiping meant to follow the Bible's rules, etc. The puritans believed in something called "predestination" which meant that a soul was in God's hands. Weather the person went to heaven or hell (it was up to god). They preferred to be near Presbyterianism, which was governed by a council of elders.

By 1640, there were 35 puritan churches in New England (U.S.). Now, as the colony grew in New England, different protestant religions were created. The basic one was a puritan who relied on the bible. Congregationalists were puritans who believed in an individual community church. Separatists were puritans who wanted to get away from the church of England.