Reading Response
There is five evidence admitted that was used to convict those who were accused. The accused had to pass a test, for instance, saying the Lord’s Prayer. Also, physical evidence like birthmarks, moles, warts, and other kinds of blemishes was considered as they were believed that Satan could enter through them. Additionally, witness testimonies were considered. Moreover, spectral evidence was considered. For instance, Puritans believed that Satan cannot take the form of an unwilling person. Finally, confession was considered.
There was the tension that existed between the Puritans and the natives. The relationship worsened when Puritans continuously expanded their settlement violently which disrupted the natives’ life (Pomeroy 6). Due to the conflicts, villages and towns burned and people died in astonishing numbers. The belief in Puritans on witchcraft and the devil made it possible for the claims to have a grasp. In this case, the proceedings and accusations of Salem witchcraft trials could be mark out to the superstition, paranoia as well as the general straitlaced culture of the Puritan community. Puritans who believed that they are God sent had a battle against the devil’s agents. They regarded every kind of sin as treason against the whole community (Norton 43). In this case, there was an illuminating tone since every form of evil was prohibited thus the presence of wickedness in the midst could not get a room.
Puritans believed that God sent tests which made people believe that witchcraft exists. Painful trials preceded as burning, mutilations, captivities, and killing continued which shown a character of heartless Indian raids, putting lives into risk. Additionally, during the trials of Salem Mary Easty was accused of witchcraft which made her join her sisters Rebecca and Sarah in jail and later hanged. However, she had petitioned that ‘no more innocent blood be shed’ but the petition was not responded to by Governor Philips.
Works Cited
Norton, Mary Beth. “In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692.” The Histories 5.1 (2019): 7.
Pomeroy, Frank. “The Colors of Witchcraft: Ideas of Race in the Puritan Theory of Witchcraft.” (2016).