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About this quote

What does it mean?
Civil governments and their courts are meant for earthly matters, not for judging or defending spiritual beliefs or Christian worship.
In plain terms
The government should not control religion or church affairs.
What can you take from it?
Keep civil authority separate from spiritual matters.

Where it applies

  • debates on state religion
  • legal cases involving worship
  • policy making

Putting it to work

  • advocate for secular laws
  • protect church autonomy
  • limit state intervention

Questions to consider

  • What happens when laws clash with faith?
  • Should leaders decide moral questions?

Another view

Some argue states should support a national religion for social unity.

More from Roger Williams

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  2. It is the will and command of God that (since the coming of his Son the Lord Jesus) a permission of the most paganish, Jewish, Turkish, or antichristian consci…

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  3. I was persuaded and am, that God's way is first to turn a soul from its idols, both of heart, worship, and conversation, before it is capable of worship to the…

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