What fundamental belief did Roger Williams advocate that is guaranteed in the U.S. today?

Roger Williams was a prominent advocate for the principle of religious freedom, a belief that was rooted in his experiences and observations while living in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the early 17th century. He argued that individuals should have the right to worship according to their own consciences without interference from government or religious institutions. This belief was revolutionary at the time, as many colonies enforced strict religious conformity.

Williams founded the colony of Rhode Island, which became a refuge for those seeking freedom from religious persecution. He established a separation of church and state, which is a foundational aspect of modern American democracy and is reflected in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing freedom of religion.

This fundamental belief in religious freedom has continued to shape American values and legal frameworks, ensuring that individuals can freely practice their faith or choose not to practice at all, without fear of coercion or punishment. The other options, while significant in their own rights, do not encompass the specific advocacy of Roger Williams in the same way that religious freedom does.