Virginia Constitution (1830) included:
<BILL OF RIGHTS, ARTICLE 16. That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other...
ARTICLE 3, SECTION 11. No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place or Ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested or burdened, 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.
And the legislature shall not prescribe any religious test whatsoever; nor confer any peculiar privileges or advantages on any one sect or denomination; nor pass any law requiring or authorizing any religious society, or the people of any district within this commonwealth to levy on themselves or others any tax for the erection or repair of any house for Public worship or for the support of any Church or Ministry,
but it shall be left free to every person to select his religious instructor, and make for his support such private contract as he shall please.> 1830VA001
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1830VA001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Virginia, 1830, Constitution, Declaration of Rights, Section 16.