Final answer:
Puritan ministers classified those who did not adhere to their teachings as sinners in the eyes of God, influenced by the doctrine of predestination and the belief that salvation was predetermined by God with no influence from human actions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Puritan ministers believed that those who did not agree with their teachings were sinners in the eyes of God. This belief was heavily influenced by the doctrine of predestination, central to Calvinist and thus Puritan theology, which held that a person's salvation was predetermined by God and that human beings were inherently sinful and could not save themselves through their own actions. The signs of being one of the "elect" who were predestined for salvation included a moral lifestyle and religious piety. Those who did not conform to Puritan norms and beliefs, such as engaging in practices deemed sinful or heretical, could be accused of various misdeeds, including witchcraft, particularly during the period of the Salem witch trials.
Therefore, Puritan ministers would likely view a non-conformist as a sinner, possibly influenced by the Devil, rather than as a pillar of the community or simply as not being a Puritan. This harsh stance often led to severe consequences for dissenters, such as exile or even execution for supposed witches during the Salem witch trials.