It is often thought that secularism originated in the Enlightenment. In reality, the first secular state, where the separation of church and state was established, was the English colony of Rhode Island, founded in the mid-17th century by the Baptist pastor Roger Williams. For him, the authenticity of religion required complete freedom of conscience. Today, while some use secularism as a mask to stigmatise scapegoats, Williams' ideas remain as relevant as ever, both in the face of the risk of state atheism and that of theocracy.