America's First Rebel: Roger Williams and the Birth of Liberty

"Williams was really America's first individualist, the first contradictor of authority, the first rebel," explains John M. Barry, author of Roger Williams and The Creation of the American Soul: Church, State, and the Birth of Liberty. While best known as the founder of Rhode Island and for being a leading proponent of a "wall of separation" between church and state, Barry argues that Williams' imprint on America is deeper than most recognize. "When I started writing the book I quickly realized that I was not simply writing about the emergence of the idea of religious liberty, but liberty itself."

Barry sat down with ReasonTV's Nick Gillespie to discuss the book, the enduring lessons of Roger Williams' life, and why he is not yet a household name.

About 9:10 minutes.

Cameras by Meredith Bragg and Jim Epstein. Edited by Meredith Bragg.

Barry is the author of numerous books, 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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Comments

[Whiterun Guard]

The Great Flu -or- The Great Flood?

Gillespie says NO.

[Sevo]

The two other books mentioned rate 'good' IMO. I'll get this one.

[Ted S.]

The correct Roger Williams video

[Mrs. Kravitz]

This is so racist. The first American rebels were Injuns. LOL

[Lyle]

He is a household name for a period of time in a young person's life when they're studying colonial America, whether in high school or college.

[hotsy totsy]

I remember studying about him in my parochial elementary school. Fifth grade. Catholics liked him because he was tolerant of them in colonial days.

Willaim Penn and Lord Baltimore were the other two "tolerants".

[Adonisus]

Another great figure is the Baptist minister John Leland, who was a contemporary and admirer of Thomas Jefferson. Like Williams, he argued outright for a seperation of Church and State, and warned of the dangers of politicians who wear their religion on their sleeve:

"Guard against those men who make a great noise about religion in choosing representatives. It is electioneering intrigue. If they knew the nature and worth of religion, they would not debauch it to such shameful purposes."

[jason]

I am surprise peoples still remember him at the day which is a good thing.

[sweeterjan]

Barry sat down with ReasonTV's Nick http://www.ceinturesfr.com/cei.....-c-16.html Gillespie to discuss the book, the enduring lessons of Roger Williams' life, and why he is not yet a household name.

About 9:10 minutes.

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Barry sat down with ReasonTV's Nick Gillespie to discuss the book, the enduring lessons of Roger Williams' life, and why he is not yet a household name.

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While best known as the founder of Rhode Island and for being a leading proponent of a "wall of separation" between church and state, Barry argues that Williams' imprint on America is deeper than most recognize. "When I started writing the book I quickly realized that I was not simply writing about the emergence of the idea of religious liberty, but liberty itself."