Marklr.

nbr:

First page of a draft version of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, written by George Mason in 1776. This autograph version is undated; the archivist believes it is from about 1778. From the Library of Virginia website. The part I’m most interested in:

That Religion, or the Duty which We owe to our Creator, and the Manner of discharging it, can be directed only by Reason & Conviction, not by Force or Violence, and therefore that all men shou’d enjoy the fullest Toleration in the Exercise of Religion, according to the Dictates of Conscience unpunished, & unrestrained by the Magistrate; unless under Colour of Religion, any Man disturb the Peace, the Happiness, or the Safety of Society: And that it is the mutual Duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love, & Charity towards each other.

First page of a draft version of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, written by George Mason in 1776. This autograph version is undated; the archivist believes it is from about 1778. From the Library of Virginia website. The part I’m most interested in:

That Religion, or the Duty which We owe to our Creator, and the Manner of discharging it, can be directed only by Reason & Conviction, not by Force or Violence, and therefore that all men shou’d enjoy the fullest Toleration in the Exercise of Religion, according to the Dictates of Conscience unpunished, & unrestrained by the Magistrate; unless under Colour of Religion, any Man disturb the Peace, the Happiness, or the Safety of Society: And that it is the mutual Duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love, & Charity towards each other.