The Great Quaker Debates occurred in 1672 on Aug 9, 10, 12, and 17 of August. Although Roger Williams, a pioneer of religious liberty, welcomed those with differing opinions, he also relished in the opportunity to present his viewpoint. Famously, in 1672 at the age of about 69 or 70, he rowed alone, all night from Providence to Newport to debate the Quakers at 9AM. The first session of the debate was held on the 9th, 10th, and 12th of August 1672 in Newport. His brother Robert was then a school master at Newport and helped with the debates. On the 17th, the debate continued one more day in Providence. Many attended both sessions. Roger presented 14 arguments during the debate.
Four years later he published a book on the debates titled, “George Fox Digg’d out of his Burrowes”. The title is a famous pun on the surname of Edward Burrough (“Burrowes”) and a jab at Fox, accusing him of underground, fox-like evasion. This book shows a crucial nuance of his philosophy: Williams believed in defending someone’s civil right to exist without believing their theology was correct. He allowed Quakers to live freely in Rhode Island without persecution, yet he considered Quaker doctrines to be dangerous, anti-Christian heresies. The book stands as an early model of robust public debate combined with civil tolerance.
