The Flushing Remonstrance, a 17th-century document, played a significant role in establishing the principle of religious freedom in America. It was written by Edward Hart and signed by 30 inhabitants of the village of Flushing, New York, in 1657. The document defied Governor Peter Stuyvesant's policy of persecution against Quakers and other non-conformists, stating that the law of love, peace, and liberty condemns hatred, war, and bondage. The remonstrance's influence can be seen in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which formalized the separation of church and state. [... more]