Late in the 18th century, the nation was changing before our eyes. New religious movements were popping up throughout Virginia and among the other colonies. The most important change that was happening was that the colonist were fighting the Revolutionary War to gain their independence from Great Britain. The Colonist faced many problems before the war and after the war, mainly caused because of religion and taxation. There were dissatisfaction from the dissenters; who broke off from the Church of England. The dissenters were unsatisfied because they were being penalized for leaving the Church. The Founding Fathers tried to find ways in which would better the nation when it came to the tolerance of new religions. One bill passed that help bring
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One of the influencers Thomas Jefferson created an act for establishing religious freedom, passed in January 1786. There was a point, in time, where Virginia was only seen tolerant of the Anglican religion. Most felt that the Church of England would/should be the main Church of the new United States also. Those who were not in favor of that happening were the dissenters of the Presbyterians, Methodists and Baptists. In the act established by Thomas Jefferson, he says, “Be it enacted by General Assembly that no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry” ([Jefferson], act of religious freedom 1786). Jefferson is trying to say in the previous quote that a bill like this was needed so people would know that the tolerance of all religion will be accepted or none at all. In same document it says, “We well know that this Assembly elected by the people for the ordinary purposes of Legislation only” ([Jefferson], act of religious freedom). The General Assembly was put in place to make legislature. The Assembly was not put in place to settle religious disputes. Neither should that have a say in what religion should be followed by the colonist. This was why the separation of Church and State was
One of the influencers Thomas Jefferson created an act for establishing religious freedom, passed in January 1786. There was a point, in time, where Virginia was only seen tolerant of the Anglican religion. Most felt that the Church of England would/should be the main Church of the new United States also. Those who were not in favor of that happening were the dissenters of the Presbyterians, Methodists and Baptists. In the act established by Thomas Jefferson, he says, “Be it enacted by General Assembly that no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry” ([Jefferson], act of religious freedom 1786). Jefferson is trying to say in the previous quote that a bill like this was needed so people would know that the tolerance of all religion will be accepted or none at all. In same document it says, “We well know that this Assembly elected by the people for the ordinary purposes of Legislation only” ([Jefferson], act of religious freedom). The General Assembly was put in place to make legislature. The Assembly was not put in place to settle religious disputes. Neither should that have a say in what religion should be followed by the colonist. This was why the separation of Church and State was