Ron Paul Puritans

Modern day libertarians, and many conservatives have a lot in common with the Puritans.

http://www3.nd.edu/~rbarger/www7/puritans.html

What many of us remember about the Puritans is reflective of the modern definition of the term and not of the historical account. Point one, they were not a small group of people. In England many of their persuasion sat in Parliament. So great was the struggle that England's Civil War pitted the Puritans against the Crown Forces.

Though the Puritans won the fight with Oliver Cromwell's leadership, their victory was short-lived; hence their displacement to America. Point two, the witchcraft trials did not appropriately define their methods of living for the 100+ years that they formed successful communities. What it did show was the danger that their self-imposed isolation had put them in.

Religious exclusiveness was the foremost principle of their society. The spiritual beliefs that they held were strong. This strength held over to include community laws and customs. Since God was at the forefront of their minds, He was to motivate all of their actions. This premise worked both for them and against them.

At a time when other Americans were physically blazing trails through the forests, the Puritans efforts in areas of study were advancing our country intellectually.

-----------------full article linked above

I can definitely see a parallel between the conservative/libertarian/Tea Party Movement and the Puritans....we are so very much alike in many ways.

So what can we learn from the Puritans?

Dogmatic politics don't work. There is a certain kind of dogma, or should I say, a stigma associated with a large chunk of the republican pie.

We must be more open to new ideas, and new creative thoughts that lead to the same common ground amongst all of us.

Don't dwell on the past, learn from it and then we can all kiss the future hello!