Religious Freedom

Dignitatis Humanae: Declaration on Religious Freedom:

January 21, 2019 Sacred Liberty

Pope Paul VII December 7, 1965 Vatican II issued this important document, which shifted the Catholic Church’s approach to religious freedom, embracing the American approach. The statement had been pushed hard by American Cardinals and academics. Dignitatis Humanae was used later by reformers within the Catholic Church who were fighting Communism and other tyrannies. Pope John Paul II’s biographer, George Weigel, argues that he owed his effectiveness, as both archbishop of Krakow and pope, to this Madisonian document. “Absent Dignitatis…

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Vermont Constitution of 1786

May 31, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive

Vermont 1786 By 1786, states were beginning to give up the stated preference for Christianity. Vermont here provides full freedom of religion for all faiths, while encouraging (but not requiring) the practice of religion. Chapter One, Article III. That all men have a natural and unalienable right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences and understandings, as in their opinion shall be regulated by the word of God; and that no man ought, or of…

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The Virginia Act for Establishing Religious Freedom

May 31, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive

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

May 31, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive

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 Thomas Jefferson to Roger C. Weightman, June 24, 1826

May 31, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive

Thomas Jefferson June 24, 1826 This is thought to be one of Jefferson’s final letters. Asked to participate in a Fourth of July celebration, he reflected on the meaning of American Independence, declaring freedom of conscience to be one of the greatest achievements. RESPECTED SIR, The kind invitation I receive from you, on the part of the citizens of the city of Washington, to be present with them at their celebration on the fiftieth anniversary of American Independence, as one of…

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Letter from Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, December 20, 1787

May 31, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive

Thomas Jefferson December 20, 1787 Writing from Paris, where he was ambassador, Jefferson is responding to reports he’s hearing about the new Constitution. Some advocates of the Constitution argued that a Bill of Rights was unnecessary because Congress could only exercise powers it was explicitly granted. Jefferson disagreed. DEAR SIR, My last to you was of Oct. 8 by the Count de Moustier. Yours of July 18. Sep. 6. & Oct. 24. have been successively received, yesterday, the day before…

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Letter from Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, March 15, 1789

May 31, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive

Thomas Jefferson March 15, 1789 James Madison had written Jefferson suggesting that perhaps a Bill of Rights might not be wise, since it would not have the breadth that the two of them might want. Jefferson responded forcefully that a Bill of Rights was essential. Your thoughts on the subject of the Declaration of rights in the letter of Oct. 17. I have weighed with great satisfaction. Some of them had not occurred to me before, but were acknoleged just…

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Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Dr. Thomas Cooper, November 2, 1822

May 31, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive

Thomas Jefferson November 2, 1822 Jefferson believed Unitarianism would become the dominant religion. He also explains why he has no professor of divinity at the University of Virginia. DEAR SIR, Your favor of October the 18th came to hand yesterday. The atmosphere of our country is unquestionably charged with a threatening cloud of fanaticism, lighter in some parts, denser in others, but too heavy in all. I had no idea, however, that in Pennsylvania, the cradle of toleration and freedom…

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Draft of The Virginia Act for Establishing Religious Freedom

May 31, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive

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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South Carolina Constitution of 1778

May 31, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive

South Carolina January 1, 1778 Section XXI. And whereas the ministers of the gospel are by their profession dedicated to the service of God and the cure of souls, and ought not to be diverted from the great duties of their function, therefore no minister of the gospel or public preacher of any religious persuasion, while he continues in the exercise of his pastoral function, and for two years after, shall be eligible either as governor, lieutenant-governor, a member of…

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