I would argue that by accepting Hester the Puritans are actually moving beyond their own judgments to live in better concert with their professed values. Hester's crime is adultery. They judge her very severely for this crime. As devout Christians, this draws similarity to the adulteress that Christ saves from stoning. He claims that only "he without say may cast the first stone." As imperfect people themselves, the Puritans are not living up to this.
