Roger Williams Quotes
God needeth not the help of a material sword of steel to assist the sword of the Spirit in the affairs of conscience.
Williams was a minority voice throughout most of the world on this point. Even in modern times there are many civil and religious authorities do do not agree. The belief of God’s impotence and the need for the “sword of steel” seem so contradictory yet it persists even to modern times.
Roger Williams, c. 1603-1683, Clergyman and founder of Rhode Island, The Bloudy Tenent, 1644
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Bush made religion a driver of his Presidency and policies in a way far in excess of other American Presidents. See {633550}. There has always been some debate as to whether he actually believed that or he was just saying it to pander to the religious conservatives who formed an important component of his base.
Roger Williams was a Puritan minister, theologian, and author who founded Providence Plantations, which became the Colony of Rhode Island and later the U.S. state of Rhode Island. He was a staunch advocate for religious freedom, separation of church and state, and fair dealings with Native Americans.