George Mason's Pursuit of Religious Liberty in Revolutionary Virginia

Abstract

George Mason was the principal draftsman of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, adopted in June 12, 1776. Its famous Article XVI stated that "all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion," which provoked a tumultuous legislative battle that lasted a decade. The article describes in detail this process & the role of Mason in defending religious freedom & redefining the commonwealth's postcolonial church-state policies. His role in defending religious freedom in Virginia has been unfortunately overlooked. D. Miller