Puritan Pondering

Mention the word "Puritan" or, if you so dare, the adjective "puritanical." See what reactions you get. Most of them, I imagine, are quite uncomplimentary. Images of prudish people, rotting away in solemnity and pathos are no doubt at the front of everyone's mind. Eternally dogmatic, rigid to a fault and forever ready to burn a witch at any moment.

It is however a misunderstanding, I think, of early Puritans to view them as such. Conservative need not mean all that sometimes is intoned. After all, as C.S. Lewis reminded us, it was bishops, not beer that the Puritans minded.

So ... more so than being Puritans, they were Protestants...huh...I'll drink to that.

Thanks. Give Some.