PURITANISM
Puritanism was a form of religion.  A person who believed in puritanism was called a puritan.  The puritans "believed that a person by nature was wholly sinful and could achieve good only by severe and unremitting discipline. Hard work was considered a religious duty and emphasis was laid on constant self-examination and self-discipline. Although profanation of the Sabbath day, blasphemy, fornication, drunkenness,playing games of chance, and participation in theatrical performances were penal offenses, the severity of the code of behavior of the early Puritans is often exaggerated." (http://www.encyclopedia.com/articles/10641InfluenceonAmericanSociety.html)