Creating the Bill of Rights

Freedom of Religion

Although the wording varied widely in the key documents proposing freedom of religion, the drafters of the Bill of Rights intended to grant liberty of conscience to the adherents of all religions present in the United States in 1789, and to those which in the future might be practiced by residents of the country. However, some states continued to limit access to public office to Christians or Protestants and provided public funding for some Protestant sects. Where did this idea come from? »

Bill of Rights, Freedom of Religion section

Article the third . . . . Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;