Final answer:
The Enlightenment challenged traditional religious and social beliefs, which may have affected the way Puritans led their lives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Enlightenment was a period of intellectual and philosophical transformation in Europe during the 18th century. It brought about a shift in the way people viewed humanity, the world, and the universe. Enlightenment thinkers, such as John Locke and Voltaire, emphasized reason and rationality as the foundation of knowledge, challenging traditional religious and social beliefs. This meant that the Puritans, who lived during the 17th century and held strict religious beliefs, would have been influenced by these new ideas.
The Puritans believed in a strict interpretation of the Bible and saw themselves as the chosen people of God. They believed that all aspects of life, including family, church, and state, should adhere to their religious principles. However, the Enlightenment introduced new ideas that questioned traditional religious beliefs and emphasized individual freedom and reason. This shift in thinking may have challenged the Puritan way of life and led to a reevaluation of their strict religious practices.