Date of Award
Winter 12-1997
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Honors College Theses
Department
History
Second Advisor
Dr. Rogers J. Newman
Third Advisor
Dr. Beverly Wade
Abstract
This study sought to determine the influences on Thomas Jefferson's support of the separation of church and state. Jefferson's " A Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom" (1779), which was enacted into law as the Virginia Statue for Religious Freedom (1786), and his personal letters illuminate Jefferson's position on the separation of church and state. First, Jefferson believed in the sanctity of individual conscience, which the state-supported church in his native Virginia did not comfortably allow. Non-Anglicans in colonial Virginia (1607-1776) were not able to hold civil or military offices, nor could they be admitted to its universities, or join municipal and business corporations.
Recommended Citation
Rose, Travis J., "Thomas Jefferson's support of the separation of church and state" (1997). Electronic Dissertations and Theses. 85.
https://digitalcommons.subr.edu/dissertations_theses/85