Who was the dissenter that questioned Puritan authority and believed in antinomianism?

Study for the AMSCO AP United States History Exam – Period 2. Explore multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Prepare for your AP exam and boost your confidence!

The correct answer is Anne Hutchinson, who challenged the established Puritan authority in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Hutchinson espoused the belief of antinomianism, which is the idea that faith alone is necessary for salvation and that moral law is not binding on those who are saved. This perspective was controversial because it implied that individuals could interpret their relationship with God independently of the church and its leaders.

Hutchinson held discussions and gatherings where she shared her beliefs, which were seen as a threat to the established religious order that prioritized strict adherence to Puritan doctrine. Her views and practices resulted in her trial and subsequent banishment from the colony, illustrating the tension between individual beliefs and communal conformity in Puritan society. This incident is significant as it highlights the early struggles for religious freedom in colonial America.

In contrast, the other figures mentioned had different roles and beliefs. Roger Williams advocated for the separation of church and state and the fair treatment of Native Americans, but he did not specifically promote antinomianism. William Penn founded Pennsylvania with a focus on religious tolerance and Quaker principles, and John Winthrop was a leading Puritan figure who emphasized the importance of a community guided by religious authority.

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