Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-05-04
AN ACT FOR ESTABLISHING RELIGIOUS
EREEDlM
WRITTEN BIZ THOMAS JEFFERSON

WRITTEN BIZ THOMAS JEFFERSON.
tas:sd ~ tie General assembly Of Frgtna, Decere-
ter l6, l7si.
/. WHEREAS, Aluigh God hath created tho mind
free ,hat al! attempts to influence it by temporal
pnnishments or bur:hens, or by civil interpretations
tend only to beget habits OF hypocrisy aud meanness
and departure from the plan of the Holy author
Of our religion, VIII" being Lord both of body and
mind, ye, chose not 10 propagate il BY coercions on
either, It's was III his Almighty power to do; that
the impions presumption OF Legislators and Ru-
lers, civil well rs ecclesiastical, who be-
ing themselves but fallihe and unnspre! men,
have assumed dominion over the faith of
Others, setting up their own opinions and modes of
thinking ms the only true and infalbe, and M such
.uiunvoring to impose them others, hath establish
a. and maiutoned false religions over tho grvatest
part of the world, and through all .ne that To COM
pei man to furnish contributions of money for the
propagation Of opinions which he dIrbelieves, is sim
iu and tyrauncal; that tho forcing him to eup-
pur; this or that teacher Of his religious persua
SION, tdeprv him Of the comfortable liberty Of CIV
ing bis contributions u the particular pastor, whose
morals he would "s pattern whose powers he
feels most persuasive TO RICH: sOusuess, and is with
drawing from the minstrysthpee temporary rewards,
which, proceeding from an appreciation OF their per-
s"nn conduct, additional Indictment earncs,
and unremttinS labors for The instruction OF
kind: that our civil rights have no dependence
on our religious opinions any moro than our
opinions in physics or geometry; that therefore
:hc prescribing any citizen as unworthy tho public
confidence, by LAYING Inn oil lnGapsclty at
called to offices Of trust and Gpioumeut unless h.
rroie or reIouncc this that religious opinion il
deprvng him inurousy, OF those privileges and ad-
runages, to which, in common with his fellow
citizens, he has natural right that it tends only te
corrupt The principles of that religion it ~ meant to
encourage, by bribing with monopoly OF worldly
!ponors and clnoluments, those who will externally
profess and conform to it that though indeed those
criminal who do not withstand such tcnptatiou
yo; neither are those innocent who lay the bait in their
way that TO suffer the civil Magistrate to ntrude his
powers into tho field Of opinion and TO restrain the
profession propagation of principles superstition
"' 'heir III tendency, ia dangerous fa!lacy, which OF
once destroys all res ious liberty because he beinS
at course Judge OF that tendency will make his
np!nions the rule OF Judgment, aud approve con-
denim the sentiments "f others only as they shall
square WIN or G't'cr from his own that it is time
enough Tor the righitul purposes OF Civil Government
for ITS oiHce:s l" Interfere when principles break out
n,o overt ncs against peace and good order and
finally, tha; Truth Is grent and will prevail If loft TO
herself that she IS the proper aud sufficient antaro
u!-t 10 Error, and has nothing To fear from H.. cHr
tir, unless by human interpretation dsur,ued os h,r
natural weapons, free argument and d.hate errors
cc:IsiDS tn be- dangerous when il is permitted fo,v
IL contradict them
:. 30 i, enacted by the General Assembly, Tim, NO
man shall be compelled to frcquen, or supper, any
religious worship, place, or Ministry whatsoever nor
shall be enforced, restrained molestcd, or burhen.d
his body goods shall otherwise suffer on nc
count of his religious opinions belief; bu; that all
men shall be free TO profess, and by argument TO
maintain their opinions in matters Of religion, and
rha; the shall in no wise diminish, enlurso
feet their civil capacities.
3. and though we we'll know that this Assembly
elected by the people for the ordinary purposes Of e
Succeeding Assemblies constituted with powers equal
IL our own and that theretse 10 declare this ACT to
be uevocable, would DO Of no effect In law yet we
are free to declare, and do Declare that the rgh,s
hereby asserted are OF the natural rights Of mankind
aud that any shall be hereafter passed repeal
the present or to narrow its operation, such act viii