Final answer:
John Proctor and Giles Corey have a problem with Thomas Putnam due to the societal tensions during the Salem witch trials, exacerbated by religious leadership and Puritan beliefs. Proctor's break from Reverend Parris hints at personal disputes and disillusionment with the church's role in the community. Proctor's absence from church is likely linked to these conflicts and broader disenchantment with Puritan leadership.
Step-by-step explanation:
The problem that John Proctor and Giles Corey have with Thomas Putnam in the context of Salem's witch trials is multifaceted and represents the tension between various members of the community. The witchcraft scare in Massachusetts Bay was intensified by the Puritan belief system, which held that the devil was actively working in society. This fervent belief led to the tragic events of the Salem witch trials, where non-conformity was not tolerated, causing suspicion and hysteria.
John Proctor's willingness to "break from his minister", Reverend Parris, reflects the underlying issues within the religious leadership and the greater society which they were a part of. Discontent with Parris's actions and the general direction of the church's involvement in civil affairs, along with Putnam's actions, could motivate such a separation.
The reason Proctor has not been attending church may be multifactorial, ranging from personal disputes with Reverend Parris and Thomas Putnam to broader disillusionment with the religious and social leadership of the time, as exemplified by his criticism of Parris's sermons and the pressures placed upon the community by figures like Cotton Mather during the witch trials.