In the spring of 1692 one of the most historical events occurred. Mainly remembered for the drama and religion surrounding it, the Salem witch trials shocked everyone. Most forget that these were real people, mostly due to all the typical Hollywood over dramatization of this historical experience. This event , although only claiming the lives of a few, is still remembered till this day as a gruesome massacre. In total 19 individuals where murdered for the crime of being witches. The only proof being the word of a group of young girls claiming these 19, among another 150 people accused, where possessed by Satan.(Rissanen) While the whole story sounds completely insane, there are actually many competent theories explaining the how this tragedy
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This community of Salem, Massachusetts in a way be compared to Jonestown due to the heavy puritan faith. Richard Sibbes a puritan minister is quoted saying “The whole of a Christian should be nothing but praises and thanks to God; we should neither eat nor sleep, but eat to God and work to God and talk to God, do all to His glory”. (Peikola) This mentality is shown very heavily in the town of Salem, their whole live, existence was based upon God. The puritan religion was mostly a strict moral code, and any straying from this code resulted in sin and punishment. If you were not apart of this moral code then you became a social outcast in the community, which unfortunately made you an easy target. The first women accused of being witches all had strayed from the puritan faith. Which in the eyes of the community made them already guilty.(Kahlas) While religion can be blamed for how easily these women lost their lives due to the words of a few girls, many other causes helped tighten the …show more content…
Sadly this mass hysteria ended in many necessary deaths and even ruined lives of those who survived. Later towards the end, the town regained their morals and began to protest the trials, but this whole thing began on fear. Justified is defined as having done for, or marked by a good or legitimate reason. The people of Salem where afraid, they moved into a new and foreign land, their food supply was running short, and their children where falling ill. Although there is no moral excuse for the taking of those 19 lives. I believe the townspeople of Salem where trying the only option they saw. The religion of the time was so cult-ish and the leaders used the people’s fear to further gain control of the simple town. In my opinion after Tituba’s confession the people truly believed these women where indeed witches, so in this instance they had legitimate reason,making them
This community of Salem, Massachusetts in a way be compared to Jonestown due to the heavy puritan faith. Richard Sibbes a puritan minister is quoted saying “The whole of a Christian should be nothing but praises and thanks to God; we should neither eat nor sleep, but eat to God and work to God and talk to God, do all to His glory”. (Peikola) This mentality is shown very heavily in the town of Salem, their whole live, existence was based upon God. The puritan religion was mostly a strict moral code, and any straying from this code resulted in sin and punishment. If you were not apart of this moral code then you became a social outcast in the community, which unfortunately made you an easy target. The first women accused of being witches all had strayed from the puritan faith. Which in the eyes of the community made them already guilty.(Kahlas) While religion can be blamed for how easily these women lost their lives due to the words of a few girls, many other causes helped tighten the …show more content…
Sadly this mass hysteria ended in many necessary deaths and even ruined lives of those who survived. Later towards the end, the town regained their morals and began to protest the trials, but this whole thing began on fear. Justified is defined as having done for, or marked by a good or legitimate reason. The people of Salem where afraid, they moved into a new and foreign land, their food supply was running short, and their children where falling ill. Although there is no moral excuse for the taking of those 19 lives. I believe the townspeople of Salem where trying the only option they saw. The religion of the time was so cult-ish and the leaders used the people’s fear to further gain control of the simple town. In my opinion after Tituba’s confession the people truly believed these women where indeed witches, so in this instance they had legitimate reason,making them