“The Puritans wanted to eliminate the celebration of saint’s days and festivals such as Christmas, especially because of the pagan practices that came with them.”
There really were no pagan practices. No pagan gods were worshiped, for instance. If doing some of same things pagans do is “pagan practices”, then we’ll have to stop eating, wearing clothes, sleeping. etc.
“You can’t say they weren’t consistent about it.”
Sure I can. Here’s the proof: the months of the year and the days of the week - all pagan names. Puritans used them like everyone else. Their very calendar then was “pagan” by your standard.
“They came to New England (a great hardship for them) so they could do it their way.”
And there they oppressed those who disagreed with them - after fleeing a land because they wanted “freedom”. Again, that inconsistency thing.
“Say what you will.”
I always do.