One of the most interesting and educational documents I’ve ever read was the Virginia Declaration, 1776.
Here are sections 15 and 16.
SEC. 15. That no free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people, but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue, and by frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.
SEC. 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 toward each other.
“SEC. 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 toward each other.”
Don’t confuse the Theocrats. It’s not nice.
We seem to have some people around that resemble Savonarola.
I like those two sections. Would you object or have objected to another section or amendment stating that any religion or government which forces the people to abandon all other religions, must be outlawed and destroyed? Or words to that effect?