What causes the conflict between John Proctor and Reverend Parris?

John Proctor represents the average working man who has made mistakes in his life.  In the play, we find out that John has been unfaithful to his wife.  He confessed the adultery to his wife and she tries to forgive.  However, John did not confess to Reverend Parris and ask for forgiveness which is the Puritan belief.  It is not that Proctor does not believe in the religion, he does not believe in the “righteous” Reverend Parris.  It is through this conflict that Miller displays the hypocrisy in the Puritan belief system.  Parris is human and has made mistakes but he pretends to be infallible which cause the hypocrisy.  In order for Parris to keep his status in the community he had to eliminate all opposition.  Accusing his neighbors of witchcraft became the means for this annihilation.