1. Draft for a bill for establishing religious freedom.
- Author
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Jefferson, Thomas
- Subjects
- *
UNITED States legislators , *HISTORICAL source material , *HISTORY of the freedom of religion , *CIVIL rights , *LEGISLATIVE bills , *RELIGION & state -- History , *POLITICAL attitudes ,UNITED States religions ,UNITED States politics & government, 1775-1783 ,UNITED States history sources - Abstract
The article presents the 1779 draft of a bill, written by American politician Thomas Jefferson in the General Assembly of Virginia, which would establish religious freedom in America. The legislation contains three sections that pertain to civil rights and freedom from religious persecution. The focus is on the rights of individuals to choose their own beliefs and not be required by law to contribute money to religious opinions that they do not believe in. Jefferson makes the assertion that these rights are the "natural rights of mankind."
- Published
- 2017