The First Amendment — POLITICS OR RELIGION? OR BOTH?

I was fortunate to walk the grounds at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home. A sign pointed to the burial site for Jefferson a few hundreds yards away. Should we go?…. What the heck, we’ll not see much, but at the least we should pay our respects.

Oh, but I did see a great deal.

On his tombstone were listed the three things that Jefferson wanted to be remembered for:
His writing of the Declaration of Independence….Of course!!
His founding of the University of Virginia…OK
His work regarding the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom…What?? Why?

Why was that more important to TJ than being President, or his acquisition of the Louisiana Purchase? Thus, I had to find out.

After the formation of the Union, TJ and the others went home. Some that had been in the state legislature continued in that service. And what appeared to be a lowly office as a state legislator, T.J. an active church person, took to the task of twisting arms for 5+ years to gain passage.

The population of the state was approximately 600,000 smaller than a typical congressional district of today. For years, Jefferson ground away during his travels within the state, promoting the concept of religious freedom in Virginia. In one account, he is reported to believe that all the people would ultimately become Unitarian but he foresaw the need for religious freedom. How wise.

Finally his bill passed.

When the Union was formed, the Founders promised that a Bill of Rights would be implemented soon thereafter. What we know as the First Amendment is the concept of religious freedom, free press, freedom of speech, etc. which was passed in 1791, 15 years after our independence.

The basic concepts of Jefferson’s Virginia Statute were then integrated into the fabric of our nation. Other countries have since adopted our concept, thanks to Thomas Jefferson.

In my novel, Nautigurl, one of my characters, Harvey, encourages the main character, Penney to learn and enjoy the “big pieces” of history. Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia Statute is indeed a ‘big piece’.