Puritanism

[ pyoo r-i-tn-iz-uh m ]

/ ˈpyʊər ɪ tnˌɪz əm /

the principles and practices of the Puritans.

(sometimes lowercase) extreme strictness in moral or religious matters, often to excess; rigid austerity.

Origin of Puritanism

First recorded in 1565–75; Puritan + -ism

an·ti-Pu·ri·tan·ism, noun

Positive thinking is Puritanism with a capitalist face, she believes.

Why Are You So Damn Happy? |Megan Hustad |October 15, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
The Obamas have added to the angst with intimations of a new Puritanism in our dire future.

But Can We Still Have Fun? |Kathleen Parker |January 19, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
What I have to say will be upon this point: Why Puritanism is especially fitted to elevate the despised races.

The American Missionary -- Volume 33, No. 02, February, 1879 |Various
To neither of these was an understanding of Puritanism at all possible.

The World's Greatest Books, Vol IX. |Edited by Arthur Mee and J.A. Hammerton

Puritanism seems to suggest that those who have been “converted” are actually perfect.

An Outline of Sexual Morality |Kenneth Ingram
Puritanism kept up its Don Quixote battle against May-poles until there was hardly one standing to seduce the people to idolatry.

The Beginners of a Nation |Edward Eggleston.
Puritanism was a violent oscillation of the pendulum of life to the other side.

Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great, Volume 5 (of 14) |Elbert Hubbard