Entry 2: Rationalism vs. Puritanism

Consider the beliefs of the Puritans and rationalists (consult your text if necessary). How do people think about the universe and human nature today? What do you think about them? Can you see evidence of either of those world views in your own views or of those of society at large? What are your views of human nature, the workings of the universe, and the role of humans in it? Are you closer to being a Rationalist, or a Puritan? Explain.

• The Puritans are a group of religious people, who believe in God and treat him with the utmost respect. They also believed that all people, by nature, are sinners. The rationalists, however, depended on logic and reason, believing that there is reason behind every phenomenon. They also focus more on the individual instead of community, like the Puritans.
• I believe that people think about the universe mostly in a logical way. However, because everyone has a different religion, they are sometimes biased into thinking another way. There are also some extremists within the large population of people (one reason why there are so many religious wars going on). My point of view about the universe and human nature is that things are logical and usually has a scientific theory behind them. 
• In today's society, view similar to the Puritans can be seen in religious groups such as the Catholics and the Christians. People with views similar, or should I say, the same as rationalists are usually scientists and objective educators. 
• I believe that things can be explained by science and scientific theories. I also sometimes believe that humans do not really have a role in the universe, because all we do is to destroy nature. 
• I believe that I am more of a rationalist because I prefer the scientific way of doing things and I am not extremely religious.