tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582751663390398171.post8292048836601476044..comments2023-11-03T17:20:18.270-07:00Comments on William & Mary Dyer: Celebrate your connection to Mary Dyer's cause: religious libertyChristy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582751663390398171.post-67541873126110841312017-05-30T19:26:52.180-07:002017-05-30T19:26:52.180-07:00Massachusetts was founded by radical puritans who ...Massachusetts was founded by radical puritans who wanted to create a New Jerusalem in the wilderness, a godly commonwealth that would be an example for the rest of the world. Rather than impose themselves on others, they went to New England to create their commonwealth apart from the rest of the world. They were not happy when the strangers among them publicly challenged and sought to undermine their principles and practices. Anne Hutchinson was sure that she was right and thought all who differed were wrong. Edward Burrough, a leading spokesperson for early Quakers, in one tract alone, recorded his opposition to astrologers, magicians, soothsayers, priests, papists, protestants of the eldest sort, Presbyterians, independents, anabaptists, free willers, ranters, seekers, waiters, and “those who believe Christ will reign in person on the earth.” Roger Williams thought Quakers very wrong, but tolerated them only because he had the wisdom to see that the alternative was endless discord and suffering. King Charles II had little sympathy for the Quakers and prosecuted them greatly. His primary motive for ordering Massachusetts to end capital punishment of the Quakers was to end New England's defiance of royal authority. He found the hanging of a woman for religious dissent objectionable, but it was hardly the key driver. And Mary? She gave up her life to overthrow Massachusetts' anti-Quaker laws, but that was her own people's cause, and there is no indication she was any more "tolerant" than Anne Hutchinson or Edward Burrough. For clear and broad statements on toleration, and separation of church and state, look to Roger Williams, Samuel Gorton, and the Rhode island Quaker Daniel Gould.Johan Winsserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05525288520006015545noreply@blogger.com