Puritan Vs. Humanist Ideals

Has it ever seemed that some people are so religious that they are too strict? Has anybody been so deeply into the idea of having a part in the world and group work that they seem to be an extraordinary leader? These people would have fit in perfectly in the 1700’s, where these two extremes were quite common. The difference between Puritan and Humanist ideals is that Puritans believe in duty and heavy labor for the rewards of Heaven that a fierce and just God could provide, while the Humanist believe that performing acts of kindness is simply the nature of the human being, while receiving immediate rewards. The Puritans started in the 1600’s, when religious folk realized that religion was slowly dwindling in society, and ran until the 1750’s,
when the Humanist started to express their views during the Enlightenment. The Humanist were around from the 1750’s to the 1850’s. Various ideas and self-respecting methods made the Humanist ideals. The Humanist ideals involve the idea of doing things for one’s self and reaping the rewards once one can immediately. From this perspective, observers see the familiar Humanist lifestyle influence people, while many speak of the Puritan lifestyle.
To observe that the percentage of a person being influenced by the Humanist ideals while many will speak of the Puritan way is greater than the percentage of a speaker of the Puritan ideals, using the scientific method, an experiment can take place.
The hypothesis then states, if a person does good or works hard, then they are doing it to reap reward, despite religious ties. Next people receive a survey that would ask them to answer questions on their religious views; whether or not they consider themselves a good person, why they work hard, why they perform acts of good deeds, what job they have, whether they agree with the Puritan or Humanist ideals, etc. Their answers will separate them into one of two groups, Humanist or Puritans. The Humanist are the control group, the measurement being the differences in good acts, lack thereof, and whether or not they received, or would have received, an award. The experimenter will unobtrusively observe both groups and record and chart the results to show the minimal differences between the amount of good deeds and the reasons behind them. The majority of both groups will perform for immediate
reward.
In today’s world, it is easier to see how people live by the Humanist ideals. The world constantly sees that kids work hard to earn enough money for a specific toy and then stop, for “they have received their reward” (Matthew 6:2). Typically, adults work to make ends meet and skipping Sunday church to do so. As well as teenagers that save up for that car or date. Rarely do we hear Christians say that they are working to make God happy with them for taking their spot in the community. However, when they do something good, they almost always give their faith the credit. That is to express their faith as strong and steady.
Many people in today’s world are atheist, yet rarely is it heard of that somebody committed a crime due to a disbelief in a higher power. Just like Christians are not purely good. Scientist of medicine are constantly trying to find ways to help us, but many scientists are atheist due to their scientific view of the world. This is a great example of doing good for the sake of humanity, therefore, a Humanistic quality of life.
Religious people are likely to hear of the Puritan lifestyle and claim that they want to live for their God as faithfully and fearfully as the Puritans did.
While they may try and may love their God, they typically can’t continue something without seeing immediate reward. Even the Puritans only thought God was happy with them when God gave rewards such as flourishing crops. The fact is that the idea of an eternity in flames terrifies religious folk. Often they do many things to help prevent this: praying, attending church, liking that post on Instagram, sharing that post on Facebook, getting baptized. However, they do not think he cares about that, but rather sympathizes with them. Thus they won’t work hard at their job for their God. Still they see the rewards as if they are rewards of his grace. These rewards seem to be God telling them good work, and they will shout it out. However, when a child brings home a report card, the bad grades aren’t seen as a symbol of the child’s faith but rather the child’s effort. Just like how an employer’s wrath shows in a bad paycheck or reprimand, rather than God’s fury. Further on people hold their God in high esteem today, unlike the Puritans, their gods are not cruel and angry but kind and full of love. As a result, people think that once saved, always saved. Therefore people seek immediate reward, and do good in order to do so, even if a Bible taught that
lesson.
While many people live a Humanist lifestyle, they agree with Puritans faith due to fear, love, peer pressure, and the possibility of heaven. However, the idea of something they want is a more powerful motivation to do good. Typically, people do good so they receive good. Many will realize that “mutual fear is the principal link in the chain of mutual love” (Paine #). as well as acts of kindness as “a rare example and worthy to be remembered” (Bradford # ). This is the principal behind many religions, to fear God is to love him.