The 1786 Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom was the driving force behind the religious clauses of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791.| The Free Speech Center
Torcaso v. Watkins (1961) found that requiring an oath to affirm belief in “the existence of God” in order to hold public office violated the First Amendment.| The Free Speech Center
Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and third U.S. president, promoted ideals of freedom of speech, press, and conscience.| The Free Speech Center
Religious liberty advocates have observed that state constitutions may provide more separation of church and state than is protected in the First Amendment.| The Free Speech Center
Freedom of religion guarantees the right to freely exercise one's faith and to be free from government imposition of religion.| The Free Speech Center
When the First Amendment was ratified, it did not eliminate established churches in states where they existed. Eventually, all established churches were disestablished.| The Free Speech Center