Belonging in The Crucible # The Puritans # Following the Protestant reformation of 1525, and Henry the VIII’s establishment of the Church of England, a number of splintering religious sects began to emerge. Initially they were broadly called “The Puritans”, until other labels identified distinctive break away groups.
The Puritans¹ had formed a theocratic monolithic state (religious leaders) of like minded citizens for protection, security and unity. In order to belong, members had to sacrifice their individuality and conform to rigid moral, religious and social codes.
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The Need to Belong # At birth, we are alone, but by nature we gradually become integrated with a family, clan, ethnic group, nation, culture, nature and humanity. As we mature we choose to abandon some groups and seek admittance to others. We subconsciously choose to belong to groups that share our, interests, aspirations, needs and values and where we are accepted as we are. As the Proverbial saying goes; Birds of a feather flock together, we too are gregarious and choose to be with like-minded people.
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Belonging and Emily Dickinson # Dickinson’s eccentric individualism has many probable causes. She was recognised as a bright clever young girl but clearly rebelled against authority including her strict austere father, her emotionally cold mother and a rigid Calvinistic religion. Though she professed a deep love and respect for her father, she wrote: “his heart was pure and terrible” . In a letter to Joseph Lyman, she hopes her brother will not “stiffen up like her father but remain a human being”.
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AUSTRALIAN FLAG - Belonging # The myth of belonging masks our insecurity # Cohn Long April 02, 2007 SMH
The myth of belonging masks our insecurity. Earlier this the organisers of the rock music festival, the Big Day Out announced a ban on national flags being brought into the venue. In the wake of a small, transplanted Balkan war at the Australian Open, it seemed like a reasonable idea. Soon, though, a ‘popular’ outcry erupted.
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# Conformity # We are social beings and need the mutual support of other people. In order to relate to others we sometimes need to compromise our personal values and go along with their interests and ideas. We need to conform to society’s expectations to a certain degree. However it is important that we do not allow the influences of events or other people to destroy the essence of who we are.
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