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The Rights of Conscience Inalienable, and Therefore Religious Opinions Not Cognizable by Law or, the High-Flying Churchman Stripped of His Legal Robes Appears a Yahoo

The Rights of Conscience Inalienable, and Therefore Religious Opinions Not Cognizable by Law or, the High-Flying Churchman Stripped of His Legal Robes Appears a Yahoo

John Leland 1791 From The Rights of Conscience Inalienable, and Therefore Religious Opinions Not Cognizable by Law or, the High-Flying Churchman Stripped of His Legal Robes Appears a Yahoo: “[…]Every man must give an account of himself to God; and therefore every man ought to be at liberty to serve God in that way that he can best reconcile it to his conscience. If Government can answer for individuals at the day of judgement, let men be controlled by it,…

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Imprisoned Preachers and Religious Liberty in Virginia

Imprisoned Preachers and Religious Liberty in Virginia

Between 1760 and 1778, there were more than 150 major attacks against Baptists in the colony, most of them carried out by leaders of local Anglican churches. By one estimate, half of all the Baptist preachers in Virginia had been arrested by the time of the American Revolution. In “Imprisoned Preachers and Religious Liberty in Virginia”, we can see some on the many ways Baptists were persecuted for practicing and preaching their faith. Source(s): John A. Ragosta, Wellspring of Liberty:…

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Letter from William Bradford to James Madison (about religious freedom in Pennsylvania)

Letter from William Bradford to James Madison (about religious freedom in Pennsylvania)

William Bradford March 4, 1774 Bradford’s college classmate, James Madison, has informed Bradford that persecution is rampant in Virginia.  Bradford respond that liberty seems to be thriving in Pennsylvania. I am sorry to hear that Persecution has got so much footing among you. The discription you give of your Country makes me more in love with mine. Indeed I have ever looked on America as the land of freedom when compared with the rest of the world, but compared with…

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Letter from Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists, January 1, 1802

Letter from Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists, January 1, 1802

Thomas Jefferson January 1, 1802 The Danbury Baptist Association was founded in 1790 as a coalition of about 26 churches in the Connecticut Valley. Connecticut had established Congregationalism as its official state religion. It was as a persecuted religious minority that they wrote to President Jefferson asking for his help in overthrowing the establishment. Jefferson’s response was not some throwaway courtesy note but the product of careful deliberation involving several of his top advisors. We know this with some certainty…

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Letter from James Madison to William Bradford, January 24, 1774

Letter from James Madison to William Bradford, January 24, 1774

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James Madison January 24, 1774 Madison contrasts the persecution he’s witnessing at home in Virginia with the freedom he saw in Philadelphia, home of his Princeton classmate, William Bradford. The persecution of the Baptists in Northern Virginia apparently influenced Madison greatly, want again to breathe your free Air. I expect it will mend my Constitution & confirm my principles. I have indeed as good an Atmosphere at home as the Climate will allow: but have nothing to brag of as…

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Autobiography of James Madison

Autobiography of James Madison

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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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A Memoir of the Life and Times of Isaac Backus

A Memoir of the Life and Times of Isaac Backus

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Isaac Backus January 1, 1858 Isaac Backus was one of the most important Baptist leaders of the revolutionary era. He argued fervently against persecution of Baptists and in favor of separation of chuch and state. Here he describes how he was dispatched to visit the members of the Continental Congress to plead against the religious establishment in Massachusetts. Adams resisted his pleas. Oct. 14th. In the evening there met at Carpenters’ Hall, Thomas Gushing, Samuel Adams, John Adams, and Robert…

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Letter from George Washington to the United Baptist Churches in Virginia, May 10, 1789

Letter from George Washington to the United Baptist Churches in Virginia, May 10, 1789

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George Washington May 10, 1789 Washington is trying to reassure the Baptists that the new Constitution would provide sufficient guarantees of religious freedom, despite the absence of a Bill of Rights. Gentlemen: I request that you will accept my best acknowledgements for your congratulation on my appointment to the first office in the nation. The kind manner in which you mention my past conduct equally claims the expression of my gratitude. After we had, by the smiles of Heaven on…

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Letter from Danbury Baptists to Thomas Jefferson, October 7, 1801

Letter from Danbury Baptists to Thomas Jefferson, October 7, 1801

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Danbury Baptists October 7, 1801 This is the letter that prompted Jefferson’s famous letter declaring there to be a wall separating church and state. Sir, — Among the many millions in America and Europe who rejoice in your Election to office; we embrace the first opportunity which we have enjoyd in our collective capacity, since your Inauguration, to express our great satisfaction, in your appointment to the chief Majestracy in the United States; And though our mode of expression may…

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