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Primary sourceDocumentwritten 1777, enacted 16 January 1786

Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom

Thomas Jefferson · written 1777, enacted 16 January 1786

A Virginia law written by Thomas Jefferson that ended the state-established church and guaranteed freedom of religion for people of all faiths.

Jefferson wrote this statute, which he considered one of his three greatest life achievements.

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What it is

This document is the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, drafted by Thomas Jefferson in 1777 and enacted into law by the Virginia General Assembly on January 16, 1786. It ended the official status of the Church of England in Virginia and protected freedom of religion for Christians of all denominations as well as other faiths.

Why it matters

The statute influenced the First Amendment's protections for religion in the U.S. Constitution. James Madison helped guide it to passage after opposing a rival bill by Patrick Henry. Jefferson considered it one of his three greatest accomplishments and asked that it be mentioned on his gravestone.

Look closer

  • Why might Jefferson have argued that forcing people to pay for religion they disbelieve is "sinful and tyrannical"?
  • What does it tell you about the time that this law had to specifically name Christians, Jews, Muslims, and Hindus?
  • Why do you think this statute took years to pass, even though Jefferson wrote it in 1777?

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