"The witchhunts were part of a larger puritanical culture which was very religiously and socially intolerant."
True in the Salem witchhunts. Largely true in England, I think. Not sure whether this is true in other European countries.
- I believe it was. The Catholic Church pretty much ruled religious life throughout Europe at the time. --Dmerrill
Um, I didn't pay enough attention in History lessons, but weren't the puritans anti-catholic? -- DrBob
- Yes, but the term puritanical doesn't just mean the Puritans anymore! [later] removed the word since obviously it could lead to misunderstanding, and the sentence stands without it quite well. --Dmerrill