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A man 400 years ahead of his time.
MODE:
~
8 minute
audio walk.
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It’s time to explore key ideas and takeaways.
First, a reminder about the philosophy of journalism.
The role of journalism is not to tell people what to think, but to provide the intellectual tools needed to think well.
With that, two “tales.”
Our first story.
From History: 1644
Subject: Separation of Church and State.
- The start of checks and balances..
Now, to be clear.
The main philosophical idea taught by Williams, Locke, and Montesquieu was that power needed to be checked, which in turn protects individual liberties. Williams split state and church. Locke established natural rights and split King and Parliament. Montesquieu came along and said let’s split government into three branches of checks and balances.
That Roger Williams Story,
was first published on TST 7 years ago.
Next up. Two “quotes.”
Now for our second story.
Subject: Roger Williams.
- Roger Williams.
- May 6, 1682..
We don’t know exactly when Roger Williams was born, nor died. For his birth, we don’t even know the year. He was born circa 1602. For his death, we know for sure it was 1683 and around March.
So, to put it simply.
The exact birth and death dates of Roger Williams has been lost to history…so far at least. We think he was born around 1602, give or take a few years. We know he passed in 1683, and by April 1st. We also know he was alive on January 15th. We also believe he was about 80 or 81 when he passed. It’s interesting how much is lost to time for even the famous just a few hundred years ago.
That Roger Williams Quote,
was first published on TST 3 months ago.
Finally, 4 frequently asked “questions.”
Tidbit number three, the first of two quotes.
Subject: Roger Williams.
Roger Williams entered New England early, and John Winthrop’s journal lets us watch the first major clash between liberty of conscience and Puritan authority unfold almost in real time.
In short.
The beginnings of early colonial America featured the same types of tensions they were fleeing: who has authority over belief, speech, and religious life? Through Winthrop’s journal, we see Roger Williams not as a later legend, but as a living problem for a colony still defining itself.
That Roger Williams Article,
was first published on TST 7 years ago.
Tidbit number four, another quote.
Subject: Separation of Church and State.
The Williams parable is about government. A response to the colonies in New England inacted the same restrictions they escaped.
Looked at differently.
Government should act like we all do on a ship. When on a ship out at sea, the captain is in charge and primarily concerned with a safe trip across the ocean. On any given ship will be a mix of religions, races, and worldviews. The captain must be concerned about safety and should allow all to practice whatever traditions they want so long as they don’t hurt others.
That Roger Williams FAQ,
was first published on TST 3 months ago.
“Done.”
Tidbits are written to stand alone, but they are also designed to interlock—forming a research layer that supports deeper synthesis.
TouchstoneTruth is an experiment in whether ideas can remain alive without losing accountability.
Refresh for another set.
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(c) 2025-2026 TouchstoneTruth.
Writing and coding by Michael Alan Prestwood.
(c) 2025-2026 TouchstoneTruth.
Writing and coding by Michael Alan Prestwood.
