Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom

The Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom, introduced by Thomas Jefferson in 1786 in Virginia, aimed to ensure that individuals could practice their religion freely without government interference. It proposed that no one should be forced to support a religion they do not believe in, and established the principle of separation of church and state. This landmark legislation helped lay the foundation for the broader concept of religious liberty in the United States and influenced later constitutional protections for freedom of religion. Ultimately, it affirmed the idea that government should not dictate or favor any religion.