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Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul

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Roger Williams was a 17th-century theologian and founder of the Rhode Island colony. He was a staunch advocate for religious freedom and separation of church and state. His ideas were influential in the development of the American concept of soul liberty.

Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul: Church, State, and the Birth of Liberty

by John M. Barry

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3207 KB
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Print length	:	477 pages

Williams was born in England in 1603. He was a brilliant student and earned a degree from Cambridge University. After graduating from Cambridge, Williams became a minister in the Church of England. However, he soon became dissatisfied with the church's rigid hierarchy and its emphasis on conformity.

In 1631, Williams traveled to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He hoped to find a more tolerant religious environment there. However, he was disappointed. The Puritan leaders of the colony were just as intolerant as the Church of England authorities. Williams was eventually banished from the colony for his heretical beliefs.

In 1636, Williams founded the Rhode Island colony. Rhode Island was a haven for religious freedom. People of all faiths were welcome to live in the colony. Williams also established a separation of church and state in Rhode Island. This was a radical idea at the time.

Williams's ideas were influential in the development of the American concept of soul liberty. Soul liberty is the idea that each individual has the right to believe and practice their own religion. This idea is enshrined in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Roger Williams was a visionary thinker who made a significant contribution to the development of American democracy. His ideas on religious freedom and separation of church and state are still relevant today.

Review

Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul is a well-written and informative book. It provides a comprehensive overview of Williams's life and thought. The book is also well-researched and provides a wealth of primary source material.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in American history, religious freedom, or the development of the American concept of soul liberty.

Author

John M. Barry is a historian and author. He is a professor of history at the College of William and Mary. Barry has written several books on American history, including The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History and Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed America.

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* Portrait Of Roger Williams Roger Williams And The Creation Of The American Soul: Church State And The Birth Of Liberty * Charter Of The Rhode Island Colony Roger Williams And The Creation Of The American Soul: Church State And The Birth Of Liberty * First Amendment Of The United States Constitution Roger Williams And The Creation Of The American Soul: Church State And The Birth Of Liberty