The rights of conscience we never submitted, we could not submit. We are answerable for them to our God. The
legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only
as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my
neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It
neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg. ... Reason
and free enquiry are the only effectual agents against
error.
- Thomas Jefferson,
Notes on the State of Virginia,
1781
What is the main idea of this passage by Thomas
Jefferson?
O Government should not interfere with citizens'
religious beliefs.
O Reason and religion should be considered equal to
one another.
Religion should guide how people interact with each
other.
The state should dictate religious practices to
ensure equality