The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief;...
Before the passage of the Virginia Statute, the Church of England was the established church of Virginia. This meant that all marriages, baptisms, and burials had to be performed by an official of the Church of England.
Everyone paid taxes to support the Church. Public office holders were required to take communion in the Church of England. Fines, imprisonment, taxes and other civil penalties or "burthens" could be, and were, imposed on anyone who disobeyed.
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