9781422274163

state.” The charter of government that Williams created for Rhode Island was the first constitution that did not include reference to an official church. By signing, the Rhode Island settlers agreed “to subject ourselves in active and passive obedience to all such orders or agreements as shall be made for public good...only in civil things.” 1 Rhode Island also passed laws prohibiting religious persecution. Another colony that allowed freedom of religion was Maryland, established in 1632. The proprietor of

Enslaved people from West Africa brought the Islamic religion, as well as traditional African religions, to North America. However, they often had to practice their religions in secret.

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Contemporary Issues: Religious Freedom