Question

Use the reading and your knowledge of social studies to answer the question. The Puritans left England because of religious persecution. They chose to settle in North America so they could enjoy freedom of worship. Despite their beginnings, Puritan leaders failed to offer freedom of Religion to non-Puritans who lived in Massachusetts Bay Colony. Eventually, disagreements about Religion led several colonists to leave Massachusetts and settle elsewhere. For instance, Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, was expelled in 1635. He disturbed church leaders by declaring that Puritans should split from Church of England and colonists should pay Native Americans for their land. “ . . . I acknowledge that to molest any person, Jew or Gentile, for either professing doctrine, or practicing worship merely religious or spiritual, it is to persecute him; and such a person, whatever his doctrine or practice be, true or false, suffereth persecution . . .” —Roger Williams, The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution , 1644 What type of established church did Rhode Island support? a Puritan church that had no ties to the Church of England none; people of all faiths could worship freely a church that allowed all Rhode Island colonists freedom of Religion several; any faith could become an established Religion if it had enough members

Answer 1

Rhode Island, founded by Roger Williams, supported "none; people of all faiths could worship freely." Williams advocated for the separation of church and state and believed in religious freedom for all individuals, regardless of their faith. This included allowing people to practice their own religions without persecution.