Patrick Henry Quotes
Well aware that Jesus Christ hath created the mind free …
The wording was rejected and the delegates insisted upon the original proposed language: “Well aware that Almighty God hath created the mind free …” This is a very important historical quotation because it shows that Henry and a few others wanted to make the society Christian centric, However, the majority insisted that it be non-sectarian. Many of the delegates rejecting the “Jesus Christ” language were themselves practicing Christians, but they were aware of the terrible religious wars and strife in Europe and between Christians and Muslims as well as the persecution of Jews, Quakers, and other sects; they did not want that in America so they rejected the idea of an established Christian Church or culture.
Patrick Henry, 1736-1799, Member, Virginia House of Burgesses, Member of the Continental Congress, Governor of Virginia, Member, Virginia Constitutional Ratification Convention, Proposed Language of the Preamble to the Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom which became the basis for the First Amendment
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Jefferson drafted the law which became the basis for the First Amendment to the Constitution. Others wanted change in some of Jefferson’s language to be Christian Centric but the delegates rejected that idea. See {623696}. The separation of church and state was not to be total. The state and the law was required to protect religion—all religions including those thought to be heretical.
This proposal and others like it over the years have never even gotten out of Committee.
In the American system, we do not oppose any religion. We do oppose the right of any religion to use the power of the state and governments to compel or use government resources to promote or subsidize their religion. Other countries have established churches or a national religion. In that sense, some religions perceive America objects to their religion because we do not make it our established religion. Opposing prayer in public schools is not opposing prayer. It is only opposing prayer in that specific context where all payers are paying including the non believers in that particular religion.
A portion of this quote can be found in the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C.
At the beginning of our nation, before there was a Constitution, the state of Virginia prohibited clergy from serving in the state legislature.
Spinoza’s ideas were considered so radical and dangerous that he was the only man in history who was excommunicated by the Catholics, the Jews and the Muslims.
First Published American Indian Author
This appears to be one of the first religious groups to withdraw and separate from a state church.
- Born: May 29, 1736
- Died: June 6, 1799
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Politician
Patrick Henry was an American attorney, planter, politician, and orator best known for his declaration to the Second Virginia Convention (1775): "Give me liberty, or give me death!" A Founding Father, he served as the first and sixth post-colonial Governor of Virginia, from 1776 to 1779 and from 1784 to 1786.
