The Puritans focused on religious piety and devotion to the Word. Because of their strong religious beliefs, the Puritans established a government that was very much interwoven with their religion. Only church members were allowed to vote, creating a society absolutely controlled by Puritan leaders. In this society, civil obedience was synonymous with duty with God.

The Puritans viewed sexuality as an expression of man’s animal nature which they could transcend through repression. This repression was accomplished through piety and faith in God. Sexual activity within marriage was accepted for purposes of reproduction, but sexual indulgences outside of marriage was considered a religious transgression.

The Puritans harshly punished those who had beliefs which differed from theirs. Man was viewed as innately corrupt and punishment was used as a warning to keep others from straying from morality. The Puritans saw the growing immorality in New England as a sign that their society would either have to repent or experience "the cleansing fire of God’s wrath". Their severe punishment reflected the harsh environment that surrounded them. Punishment was a tool to create a civilized society in a savage world. Quakers were whipped; drunkards were marked with a "D"; adulteresses were marked with an "A"; and criminals were placed in stocks in the town square for public humiliation.

Although the Puritans were intolerant of other religions, John Winthrop required that Indians be treated with respect. However, the purpose of the respectful attitude towards Indians was to convert them to Christianity. This, the Puritans believed, was God’s wish and would put them in His good graces.

The minimal size of developing towns, such as Boston where about one thousand Puritans lived, decreased anonymity among the townspeople. In these small towns, everyone was aware of crimes that were committed. Many times, punishment included public humiliation and ridicule which would have been less effective in a different, anonymous environment. In larger cities, wrongdoers could sometimes be discreet and avoid public condemnation.