What was a major difference between the massachusetts bay colony and rhode island? a) there was virtually no difference between the two colonies, since both were founded by puritans. b) rhode island practiced the idea of religious toleration while massachusetts bay colony did not. c) the majority of rhode island colonists were american born. d) massachusetts bay colony allowed complete religious freedom while rhode island required everyone to follow the catholic religion.

B. Rhode Island practiced religious toleration while Massachusetts Bay Colony did not.

Roger Williams (1603-1683) firmly believed in freedom of conscience. He founded the Rhode Island colony after being banished from Massachusetts in 1636 because of his views. He advocated keeping church and state separate. Rhode Island became a safe place for various religious dissenters and minorities to find a place to exist peacefully -- Baptists, Quakers, Jews and other religious minorities. Years later, when colonial America became the United States of America and the US Constitution was being written, Roger Williams idea of maintaining a “wall of separation” between church and state influenced the framers of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Freedom of religion was not the case in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, dominated by Puritan law. The Puritans came to America so they could practice their religion, but did not allow freedom for others within their colony. Those who did not follow the Puritan ways were often sent away (as Roger Williams was).

explanation:

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jewish people, gypsies, and political opponents.