We the General Assembly of Virginia do enact, that no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious Worship place or Ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief, but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain their opinions in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities. –A Bill for establishing Religious Freedom, 1786 (Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom) authored by Thomas Jefferson

Related Materials

• Article on the Statute with transcription in Monticello’s Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia
• Image of the Statute in the Monticello Classroom