The Significance Of Religion In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

In the 16th and 17th centuries, a group of English Reformed Protestants sought to purify the English Catholic church being labeled the “puritans”. The Puritans had to flee Europe because they were being persecuted for their religion, arriving in colonial Salem, Massachusetts creating what would be the “New Jerusalem”. Ironically, Salem was the very place where the Salem Witch Trials took place where more than 200 were accused and 20 were executed. In the play, “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller, many believe that religion is the primary cause of the chaos in Salem. However, religion is not the primary reason rather it being based on the person. They followed a strict lifestyle, making Sabbath holy reading and learning the scripture, not allowing …show more content…
In fact, the Puritans take the Bible to a far extent, viewing it very literally. The Bible has meaning behind every verse you read, it depends on how you are taking the meaning and applying in your daily life. Unfortunately, the Puritans in Salem took the Bible very literally not seeing the true meaning behind the scripture believing immature behavior was a sin and focusing in prayer and purity, keeping your name completely clean and no sin against it. Your name signifies your pureness in your soul and holiness being the key to salvation. The puritans strictly followed every law of God and when something against this such as the Salem witches, the punishments they give is exactly what they should not be doing and is a sin against God but the Puritans use the excuse that it is written in the Bible. However, the book of Exodus in the Bible states that the penalty of witchcraft is death. This death can be taken literal, morally, or spiritually. The Bible also explains how the most precious gift from God is Life, and no man can justify the taking of …show more content…
Tracing back to the story of Adam and Eve in the first book of the Bible, Genesis, Eve was seduced by the Devil disguised as a serpent to disobey God's order by eating the fruit of the forbidden tree (Tree of Good and Evil). Abigail Williams, the main antagonist was a young teenage girl age 17. Many young girls are mindless and do foolish actions. A woman was lower in society and often looked down upon since they were simply a female gender. But this is true that women are more seduced, lured into sin. Their gender qualities are naturally visible especially in actions, for example, a girl is often times going to gossip and like boys. All Abigail wanted was to continue the affair with John Proctor and have him. She did so by dancing in the woods with a group of friends, dancing, casting harmless spells, and Abigail herself drank a charm (blood) to kill Goody Proctor; typical teenage girl foolishness. The physical nature of your gender can lead to harmful