The Puritan Heritage in America

[Phidippides]

Two recent articles, one which argues about positive influences of the Puritans on modern America, one which claims a negative influence.  Here are some of portions:

The Puritan ethos was not a minor phenomenon with fleeting effects. Perry Miller, a great Harvard historian, said that Puritans came to these shores "not to become provincial communities on the edge of civilization, but to execute a flanking maneuver in the all-engrossing struggle of the civilized world."

A. Ralph Barlow: The Puritan ethos no trivial matter

The Sunday ban on alcohol sales is more a triumph of special interests than the lingering spirit of the Puritans. For decades, package store owners who clearly enjoy having their day of rest have fought attempts to overturn the restrictions. But with Connecticut now facing a multimillion-dollar budget gap, more legislators are arguing that the state can?t afford to do without the tax revenue that Sunday sales would bring in...

A Dry Sunday in Connecticut

Query: how do you view Puritan influence on modern America?  Good or bad?  Perhaps both?  Also, do you think the influence is as significant or as direct as some people claim?

[DonaldBaker]

Perry Miller is absolutely correct in his assertion.  The Puritans did not seek to flee civilization; they sought to build the Millennial Kingdom on the shores of North America....an idea that later germinated into the more sophisticated ideas that created the United States.  See Nathan Hatch's The Sacred Cause of Liberty to understand it further.

[Aetheling]

Who were the Puritans ?
Who are the Puritans ?

[Aetheling]

New Jersey snow sculpture gets frosty reception ...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8551528.stm

[willyD]

Puiritan influence--good or bad--both.

Good-- removable bundling boards
Bad--forced church attendance

Good--Children educated
Bad--Ministers had to take Hebrew and Greek and were allowed to beat their charges