Puritans vs Separatists
Understanding the difference between Puritans and Separatists can help clarify the statement that “all Separatists are Puritans.” Both groups originated due to the actions of the Church of England and are part of Protestantism.
Who are Puritans?
Puritans believe that religious schools have led to corruption in the worship of God and that people should return to purer forms of worship to establish a personal connection with God. Puritans did not aim to separate from the Church of England, but rather sought to change and purify it from the influence of the Catholic Church. They are English Protestants who worked to simplify religion, especially after the Reformation, with the goal of returning to the beginnings of Christianity.
Who are Separatists?
Separatists opposed the practices of the English church at the time and aimed to protect themselves from ethnic cleansing and genocide. Their activities were also motivated by economic factors, as they sought to end the economic exploitation of poorer groups by more powerful ones. Separatists distanced themselves from the Church of England and aimed to separate themselves from non-believers. Ethnic separatism is another form of separatism that is based on cultural and linguistic differences rather than religious or racial differences.
What is the difference between Puritans and Separatists?
• Puritans are a group of extremists in Protestantism who were not satisfied with the Reformation of the Church of England but did not leave the church, instead advocating for reforms. Separatists are a group of Puritans who left the Church of England due to their disagreements with its changes and practices.
• When using the term Puritan in a broader sense, it includes both Puritans and Separatists, leading to the statement that all Separatists are Puritans, but not all Puritans are Separatists.
• Separatists wanted to separate themselves from the Church of England and non-believers, while Puritans did not aim for separation but rather sought to purify the Church from Catholic influence.
• Puritans held very firm beliefs, while Separatists wanted to distance themselves from everyone, including the church they disagreed with.
• Puritans aimed to cleanse the Anglican Church by any means necessary, while Separatists wanted to distance themselves from genocide and ethnic cleansing.
Key Takeaways
- Puritans aimed to purify the Church of England from Catholic influence, while Separatists wanted to separate from the Church and non-believers.
- Separatists are a group of Puritans who left the Church of England due to disagreements with its changes and practices.
- While Puritans held firm beliefs and wanted to cleanse the Anglican Church, Separatists aimed to distance themselves from genocide and ethnic cleansing.
