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The Virginia Act for Establishing Religious Freedom

The Virginia Act for Establishing Religious Freedom

Thomas Jefferson January 1, 1786 Thomas Jefferson would put the passage of this law as one of his greatest accomplishments. Although Jefferson wrote the measure, it was James Madison who ushered it through the Virginia legislature. Jefferson argued that the Lord’s way is to allow humans to find their way to Him, not through revelation or blind faith but through reason: The “holy author of our religion, who being lord both of body and mind, yet chose not to propagate…

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Notes on the State of Virginia by Thomas Jefferson

Notes on the State of Virginia by Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson February 27, 1787 Jefferson wrote this book in 1781 and 1782. His section on religion catalogued the penalties against “heresy,” and also included one of the lines that would get him into trouble during the 1800 election. Here is his chapter on religion. Religion The first settlers in this country were emigrants from England, of the English church, just at a point of time when it was flushed with complete victory over the religious of all other persuasions….

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Draft of The Virginia Act for Establishing Religious Freedom

Draft of The Virginia Act for Establishing Religious Freedom

Thomas Jefferson January 1, 1779 This was Jefferson’s original draft of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. This version placed a greater emphasis on “reason” as the path to God. For instance, the legislature ultimately deleted the idea that God had chosen to “extend it by its influence on reason alone.” The bill, amended, was passed in 1785, while Jefferson was in Paris. SECTION I. Well aware that the opinions and belief of men depend not on their own will,…

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Diary of John Adams, March 07, 1756

Diary of John Adams, March 07, 1756

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John Adams March 7, 1756 Adams believes in a free market of religious ideas, in which the best ones emerge from an open discussion. Heard Mr. Maccarty all day. Spent the Evening and supped at Mr. Greenes, with Thayer. Honesty, Sincerity and openness, I esteem essential marks of a good mind. I am therefore of opinion, that men ought, (after they have examined with unbiassed judgments, every System of Religion, and chosen one System on their own Authority, for themselves)…

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Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments by James Madison, 1785

Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments by James Madison, 1785

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James Madison June 20, 1785 This is one of the most important documents in the history of religious freedom. James Madison wrote it as part of a drive (by Patrick Henry and the Episcopal Church) to tax Virginians to help support religion. Prior to the Revolutionary War, the churc We the subscribers, citizens of the said Commonwealth, having taken into serious consideration, a Bill printed by order of the last Session of General Assembly, entitled “A Bill establishing a provision…

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Letter from Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price, October 9, 1780

Letter from Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price, October 9, 1780

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Benjamin Franklin October 9, 1780 Franklin criticizes the Massachusetts Constitution for allowing religious tests for public office but points out that the state is at least more liberal than it used to be. He also utters the memorable sentiment (shared by Madison, Jefferson and others) that if there is no government support for religion, good faiths will thrive while ineffective ones will decline. I am fully of your Opinion respecting religious Tests; but, tho’ the People of Massachusetts have not…

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