Puritanism

One of the strongest and most dynamic forms of protestantism, puritanism has given rise to a strict moralism based on guilt which is manifested in religious intolerance, repression, censorship and general austerity. It has encouraged discrimination especially concerning sexual morality, from which a double standard of morality has evolved.

The term puritan was coined as an epithet of contempt in England during the 1560s. Puritanism became ingrained in England after the civil war of 1642 and the Commonwealth. Puritanism spread in North America from the New England puritans who emigrated from England at times when puritanism was suppressed.

Puritanism has been particularly instrumental in forming the social attitudes of English-speaking nations.