Can you imagine life under the rule of a civil government controlled by the church? Roger Williams’ life can help us see what it would be like.

Roger Williams was born in England around the year 1603. He grew up during a time when strong religious feelings rocked the country. In those days, it was costly, even dangerous, to hold opinions that were contrary to the creed of the established church. It didn’t matter how clearly those opinions could be supported by the Bible — if they were contrary to the creed, they were dangerous heresies. In fact, the more evidence found in the Bible to prove them, the more dangerous they were.