The obscure founding father of religious freedom

An article in the Boston Globe tells about the struggle of Dr. John Clarke in the 1600s to obtain religious freedom in the colony of Rhode Island. Clarke succeeded in convincing King Charles II to grant a charter that included the words, "that it is much on their hearts (if they may be permitted), to hold forth a livlie experiment. . . with a full libertie in religious concernements . . ."

The Globe article states that "For the first time in world history, religious freedom became fundamental to democracy. The charter's words soon enriched other colonial charters and eventually found their way into the writings of James Madison, architect of America's founding documents. The 20th-century historian Thomas Bicknell wrote of religious freedom, 'Its clear, full, deliberate, organized and permanent establishment in the world can now be distinctly traced to the Colony of Rhode Island . . . under the leadership and inspiration of Dr. John Clarke, the true founder.""

The John Clarke Society website says that, "While the concept of religious freedom, separation of church and state, dates back to the early Minoan work, The Epic of Gilgamesh, legal guarantees were not obtained by a legal entity prior to Rhode Island's Royal Charter of 1663."

The full text of the charter is even available on the society's website.

But over centuries, Clarke, the charter and its significance were forgotten.

The Providence Journal carried an article on the charter in 2008. It noted how, on July 8, 1663, residents of Newport, R.I., rang church bells and celebrated the arrival of the charter. It said also that a 2008 celebration was probably the next time that church bells rang again to honor the document. Bryant University President Ronald Machtley was quoted by the Providence Journal as saying, "In fact, it was the first time a sovereign king had ever given to any of its protected territories the right to have a separation of church and government. Never before had this been done. Never before had it been entertained. So this was revolutionary. Some may argue it was the precursor to the First Amendment to the Constitution."

When Clarke died in 1676, he set up an educational trust, which is, according to Newport's Redwood Library and Athenaeum website, "the oldest educational trust fund in the U.S."

The Center for Baptist Studies called him "the most important and influential Baptist in 17th century America."

And if the people of Newport have their way, Clarke will be remembered again with a memorial.

But for now, as the 350th anniversary of Clarke's charter approaches, his enduring obscurity may be symbolized by his Facebook page — which has only three fans.

EMAIL: mdegroote@desnews.com TWITTER: twitter.com/degroote