英美国家文化考试.docVIP

Effects of religion on American culture Puritanism New England today includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and Rhode Island in the Northeast of the United States. The second enduring English settlement was established in Massachusetts Bay in 1620. It was founded by English puritans who separated themselves from the Church of England. King Henry VIII cut off the political relationship with the Pope in Rome and set up the Church of England, but there was no reform in religious beliefs and practices. A group of people thought that the Church of England was too catholic and wanted to “purify” the church, hence the name “puritans”. The Puritanism effects American culture in these way 棗 1. iThese puritans were Protestants who followed the doctrine preached by John Calvin. They had some different religious beliefs from the Catholic Church. They believed that God was incomprehensible to man, and the power of God was all-knowing, yet hidden and unknown to man, while Catholics believed that God could be reached through his representative on the earth--the Pope. 2. Puritan salvation was different from that of Catholics. Puritans were convinced that human beings were predestined by God before they were born. Some were God’s chosen people while others were predestined to be damned to hell. Therefore no good works could save anyone, and nobody knew if he or she was Gods elect. But Catholics argued that a person could confess his or her sin, do good works and give money to the church and buy back his or her soul. They argued that everyone must read the Bible (emphasis on education ) in order to find God’s will and establish a direct contact with God ( individualism). 3. They believed that human beings were predestined by God before they were born. Some were God’s chosen people while others were damned to hell. No church nor good works could save people. The sign of being God’s elect was the success in his work or the prosperity in his calling. --