The Angel of Bethesda
Encyclopedia
The Angel of Bethesda is a book written by Cotton Mather
, a Puritan
minister from Massachusetts
, in 1724. The book would not be published until the 20th century. It explains many illnesses in a spiritual context, attributing illnesses to demonic and divine sources. It also endorsed the use of repentance
and traditional folk medicine as treatment for mental illness
. The text blamed afflicted individuals for their own sickness. These views became defunct with the arrival of the Enlightenment
period.
Cotton Mather
Cotton Mather, FRS was a socially and politically influential New England Puritan minister, prolific author and pamphleteer; he is often remembered for his role in the Salem witch trials...
, a Puritan
Puritan
The Puritans were a significant grouping of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries. Puritanism in this sense was founded by some Marian exiles from the clergy shortly after the accession of Elizabeth I of England in 1558, as an activist movement within the Church of England...
minister from Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, in 1724. The book would not be published until the 20th century. It explains many illnesses in a spiritual context, attributing illnesses to demonic and divine sources. It also endorsed the use of repentance
Contrition
Contrition or contriteness is sincere and complete remorse for sins one has committed...
and traditional folk medicine as treatment for mental illness
Mental illness
A mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern generally associated with subjective distress or disability that occurs in an individual, and which is not a part of normal development or culture. Such a disorder may consist of a combination of affective, behavioural,...
. The text blamed afflicted individuals for their own sickness. These views became defunct with the arrival of the Enlightenment
Age of Enlightenment
The Age of Enlightenment was an elite cultural movement of intellectuals in 18th century Europe that sought to mobilize the power of reason in order to reform society and advance knowledge. It promoted intellectual interchange and opposed intolerance and abuses in church and state...
period.