Deism.

Deism is the belief that God created the earth and us, but then abandoned us. Deists believe God left us on our own to keep the earth and our lives in control. They don't believe in miracles or supernatural things happening. The believe mainly in reason, and they think of the Bible as being just interpretations from regular people. Deism came around in the 16th and 17th century. It was during something called the Age of Enlightenment mostly in the United States, England, and France.

Prominent figures in the start of deism:

1. Lord Herbert of Cherbury - Known as "The Father of English Deism". He wrote a book called De Varitate which stated deism as being the truth.

2. Matthew Tindal and Thomas Hobbes both wrote many books a bout deism being the ultimate truth.

Roger Williams!

Roger Williams was born December 21, 1603. He became a Purtian, which was against what his father wanted him to be. He realized he was good at learning languages, and over time he learned over five language. He married Mary Barnard and had six children in America.

In 1630, Williams and his family moved to America. He was given an opportunity to be the Pastor of a church, but his beliefs were different than the original Pastor's. He was one of the first people to speak about separation of church and state. He also began teaching at a Plymouth colony for two years.

Alot of people became frustrated with his teachings and didn't think he was right, so Williams moved back to Salem, becoming assistant to a Pastor until he died. Then he became the Pastor. He was put into exile because his teachings were "diverse, new, and dangerous."

Finally, he decided to establish a settlement with twelve friends. They created a document stating religous freedom and separation of church and state. The colony was called Providence because he believed God took him and his people to that place. He got some other islands and named them: Hope Island, Patience Island, and Prudence Island.

In March of 1639, Williams was baptized and ended up baptizing eleven others, establishing the First Baptist Church of America.

In 1647, Rhode Island became united with Providence as a single government. Baptists, Jews, Quakers, etc. escaped to the colony to avoid religous persecution. In 1652, the first law was passed in making slavery illegal.

Roger Williams died in 1683, and the Roger Williams National Memorial was established in 1965. On the edge of Providence, there is also a Roger Williams Park.

Founding Fathers of the Thirteen Colonies.

Captain John Smith:

In 1606, John Smith wanted to colonize Virginia. he took three ships up there. They landed in Virginia and named their colony Jamestown. Harsh weather and Indians almost destroyed it, and in December 1607, Smith was taken to Potwahaton, the Indian chief, but was released. He instituted the rule: "He who does not work, shall not eat". After being shot, he returned to live in England.

Thomas Hooker:

He was the pastor of a church in Massachusetts. In 1636, he took his congregation to find a new English settlement in Hartford, Connecticut, because of his disagreements about voting. He also created the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut.