[Mariner]

And Jefferson was even more derisive of organized religion.

Gee, the author of the Declaration and the author of the Constitution were in agreement to exclude churches from the operation of government.

[robowombat]

Yes, from my limited knowledge, Madison seems to be a conventional but convinced believer who wished to protect religion from the corruption of the throne and alter relationship and keep government from having the use of religious sanctions as a coercive measure. The serious determination by the Founders to provide a structure of government that could govern while trying to contrive every possible barrier to government becoming the tool of tyranny is impressive and makes the statists of today look like the evil pygmies they are.