Roger Williams & rhode island's founding

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The founding of Rhode Island by Roger Williams marks a key moment in human history: The establishment of religious freedom and separation of church & state in America. As an atheist organization operating in the Ocean State, our nonprofit proudly fights to maintain Williams' legacy and the principles upon which our state was founded upon.

Thanks to Williams, Rhode Island was founded as a refuge where all people could come to practice any religion without interference from the state. The original settlers of  Providence formally agreed to “hold forth Liberty of Conscience,” making  laws “only in civil things.” 

Roger Williams believed that separating church and state would protect the church from corruption and government from immorality. He also believed that enforced uniformity of religious would lead to civil war, persecution and the destruction of souls.