Religion and Reasons
Founded solely on the idea of separation of church from state, all religions were accepted in the small colony of Rhode Island. There was not a dominant religion, for the citizens were free to practice whatever religious beliefs they pleased. The reason for this is the same reason for the settlement of the colony. Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, was banished to England by the Massachusetts bay Colony for his beliefs in the separation of church and state and freedom of religion. Instead he headed towards a small Island neighboring Massachusetts and met the Narragansett Indians who already resided there, and formed Providence in 1636. The Colony mainly became to separate church and state of freedom of religion. Many others followed due to the oppression Massachusetts bay colony were forcing on them. It was the first colony to guarantee all citizens freedom of religion and worship. Rhode Island has many religions including Quaker, Puritan, Baptist, Anglicans, Jewish, Catholic, and Congregationalists. Their government is not that small having a Governor, Deputy Governor, a General Assembly, and ten assistants.