Madison views on church and state

Letter from James Madison to James Monroe, May 29, 1785

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison May 29, 1785 In the third paragraph, Madison expresses his relief that Congress lost interest in a plan to set aside public lands for religious purposes, a step that was “smelling so strongly of an antiquated Bigotry. Then he catches up Monroe on the fight in Virginia Orange May 29 1785. Dear Sir, –Your favor of May–came to hand a few days ago. It is fortunate that the variant ideas have been so easily accomodated touching the mode…

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Letter from James Madison to F.L. Schaeffer, December 3, 1821

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison December 3, 1821 An aging James Madison write that American history has proved that religion thrives most when it is independent of government. Also, his praise for Martin Luther contrasts with Thomas Jefferson’s sharp criticism of Luther. Revd Sir, –I have received, with your letter of November 19th, the copy of your address at the ceremonial of laying the corner-stone of St Matthew’s Church in New York. It is a pleasing and persuasive example of pious zeal, united…

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Letter from James Madison to Edward Livingston, July 10, 1822

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison July 10, 1822 As an old man, Madison wrote that the separation of church and state had led to an improvement in the quality and vitality of religion. He warned that many people still inclined toward the “old error” of creating alliances between government and religion. “The danger cannot be too carefully guarded agst.,” he said. observe with particular pleasure the view you have taken of the immunity of Religion from civil jurisdiction, in every case where it…

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“Detached Memoranda” by James Madison, 1817

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison January 1, 1817 In 1946, this amazing document was found in the files of Madison’s earliest biographer. explaining his views on a wide variety of issues – especially religious freedom. In this “Detached Memoranda,” thought to have been written between 1817-32, Madison gave his reasoning for his positions and actions on a variety of church-state issues including his opposition congressional chaplains, military chaplains, his vetoes of religion-related laws. The danger of silent accumulations & encroachments by Ecclesiastical Bodies…

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Autobiography of James Madison

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison 1831 Madison sketched a thin autobiography in response to a request from a would-be biographer. He writes in third person. He is over 80 years old at this point, and it’s noteworthy that he devotes significant space in this 12-page treatise to his work on religious freedom. At the age of 12 years, he was placed by his father under the tuition of Donald Robertson, from Scotland, aman of extensive learning, and a distinguished Teacher,in the Countyof King…

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Bill of Rights Amendments Offered in Congress by James Madison, June 8, 1789

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison June 8, 1789 James Madison initially argued that a Bill of Rights was unnecessary. But in his first race for Congress, he promised he would propose a Bill of Rights, including a provision for religious freedom. He kept his promise. On June 8, 1789, he went to the floor of the House and proposed amendments to be embedded throughout the original constitution, rather than as a separate Bill of Rights. His proposal included language that would evolve into…

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Federal Veto of State Laws on Religion, House Debate, August 17, 1789

May 22, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

Congress August 17, 1789 Few people remember that James Madison wanted to give Congress the ability to veto state laws that harmed religious freedom. What follows is the brief debate on this topic. Incredibly, this amendment passed the House but died later in the Senate. The committee then proceeded to the fifth proposition: Article I, Section 10 between the first and second paragraph, insert ‘No state shall infringe the equal rights of conscience, nor the freedom of speech or of…

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Drafts of the First Amendment in Congress, 1789

May 22, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

The First Amendment didn’t go from James Madison’s pen straight to the National Archives. It was the product of legislative wrangling in the House and Senate of the first Congress. Here, without annotation, are the different drafts the lawmakers considered. On June 8, 1789, James Madison proposed a religious freedom amendment to the Constitution: “That in article 1st, section 9, between clauses 3 and 4, be inserted these clauses, to wit: The civil rights of none shall be abridged on…

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Debate on the First Amendment, House of Representatives, August 15, 1789

May 22, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

Congress August 15, 1789 The most complete record of Congressional debate on the first amendment was in the House of Representatives. In it, you can see James Madison attempting to cobble together a winning majority by assuaging concerns of certain Congressman who feared that this amendment would limit the ability of the states to regulate or support religion. Madison assured them the states would still be free to treat religion as they liked. Aug. 15 The House again went into…

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