During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What have been its fruits? More or less in all places, pride and indolence in the clergy, ignorance and servility in the laity, in both, superstition, bigotry and persecution.
“Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments [in the commonwealth of Virginia]” (1785)
Whilest we assert for ourselves a freedom to embrace, to profess and to observe the Religion which we believe to be of divine origin, we cannot deny an equal freedom to those whose minds have not yet yielded to the evidence which has convinced us. If this freedom be abused [by us], it is an offence against God, not against man.
“Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments [in the commonwealth of Virginia]” (1785), emphasis added)