Interestingly enough, there was an article in the paper yesterday saying that the Puritans have been getting a bad rap lately - they weren't really all that severe in their social mores and customs. For instance, they heartily approved of sex (within marriage) and even excommunicated a man because his wife complained first to the minister and then to the whole congregation that he was neglecting her in that matter. And while they would fine people for public drunkeness, they did allow drinking in moderation. And they only dressed all in black on Sundays, following the customs of the times. As for Cromwell, the fact that certain men misuse and twist religion for their own purposes doesn't mean that the religion in and of itself is a bad thing.

Now, back to the main theme of this thread. My kids sing a song that goes "The pilgrims and the Indians, made Thanksgiving a long time ago..." I'll see if I can get the rest of the lyrics.