* Religious beliefs: Both diverged from the prevailing puritanical ideology, sparking controversy within the Puritan community. Hutchinson openly discussed her revelations and questioned the colony's religious leaders, challenging the established clerical hierarchy. Williams advocated for religious freedom, promoting the idea that government should not interfere in matters of faith.
* Authority of leaders: Hutchinson and Williams challenged the authority of the Puritan religious and civil leaders. They openly criticized the decisions and policies of the magistrates and ministers, who held significant power in the colony. Hutchinson's charisma drew a following that rivaled the influence of the colony's leaders. Williams defied orders from the General Court and eventually left Massachusetts to establish a new colony based on his principles of religious freedom.
* Influence on colonial development: Their challenges to the status quo had a profound impact on the development of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and beyond. Hutchinson's banishment and the subsequent Antinomian Controversy divided the colony and contributed to the eventual growth of religious pluralism in the region. Williams' insistence on complete separation between church and state influenced the founding principles of the colony he established, Rhode Island, which became known for its religious tolerance.
While Hutchinson and Williams shared common ground in their challenges to authority, they differed in their specific beliefs and motivations. Hutchinson's theological views sparked controversy within the religious community, while Williams focused on the separation of church and state and the rights of individuals to practice their faith freely. Their contributions left lasting legacies in the history of colonial America and continue to be relevant in contemporary discussions of religious liberty and the relationship between religion and government.