Changes

Most churches utilized two acts to sanction its members: censure and excommunication.  Censure was a formal reprimand for behavior that was not in line with accepted religious and social norms, while excommunication included full removal from church membership.  Many social evils, from fornication to public drunkenness, were dealt with in the confines of church sanction, and many church sanctions had no official recognition outside of the confines of church membership.  While often no civil or criminal proceedings would result from these sanctions, it was still a powerful tool of social control.<ref>Demos (1970), pp 8-9</ref>

Most churches utilized two acts to sanction its members: censure and excommunication.  Censure was a formal reprimand for behavior that was not in line with accepted religious and social norms, while excommunication included full removal from church membership.  Many social evils, from fornication to public drunkenness, were dealt with in the confines of church sanction, and many church sanctions had no official recognition outside of the confines of church membership.  While often no civil or criminal proceedings would result from these sanctions, it was still a powerful tool of social control.<ref>Demos (1970), pp 8-9</ref>

The Pilgrims practiced infant baptism.  The public baptism ceremony was usually performed within six months of birth.<ref>Demos (1970), pp 132</ref>  Marriage was considered a civil, rather than religious ceremony.  In the one case, such an arrangement may have been a habit that had been picked up during the Leiden years, for civil marriage was common in the Netherlands.  Additionally, the Pilgrims cited a theological argument for such an arrangement, for there is no evidence in Scripture that a minister should preside over a wedding.<ref name=marriage>Philbrick (2006), pp 104</ref>

The Pilgrims practiced [[infant baptism]].  The public baptism ceremony was usually performed within six months of birth.<ref>Demos (1970), pp 132</ref>  Marriage was considered a civil, rather than religious ceremony.  In the one case, such an arrangement may have been a habit that had been picked up during the Leiden years, for civil marriage was common in the Netherlands.  Additionally, the Pilgrims cited a theological argument for such an arrangement, for there is no evidence in Scripture that a minister should preside over a wedding.<ref name=marriage>Philbrick (2006), pp 104</ref>

Besides the Puritan theology espoused by their religious leaders, the people of Plymouth Colony had a strong belief in the supernatural.  [[Richard Greenham]], a Puritan theologian whose works were known to the Plymouth residents, counseled extensively against turning to magic or wizardry to solve ones problems.  The Pilgrims saw Satan's work in nearly every calamity that befell them; the dark magical arts were very real and present for them.  They believed in the presence of malevolent spirits who brought misfortune to people.  In 1660, an court inquest into the drowning death of Jeremiah Burroughs determined that a possessed canoe was to blame.<ref>Deetz and Deetz, pp 87-100 and endnotes</ref>

Besides the Puritan theology espoused by their religious leaders, the people of Plymouth Colony had a strong belief in the supernatural.  [[Richard Greenham]], a Puritan theologian whose works were known to the Plymouth residents, counseled extensively against turning to magic or wizardry to solve ones problems.  The Pilgrims saw Satan's work in nearly every calamity that befell them; the dark magical arts were very real and present for them.  They believed in the presence of malevolent spirits who brought misfortune to people.  In 1660, an court inquest into the drowning death of Jeremiah Burroughs determined that a possessed canoe was to blame.<ref>Deetz and Deetz, pp 87-100 and endnotes</ref>