The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
...but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinion in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish enlarge, or affect their civil capacities.
Men (at the time, only white male members of society) are granted the power to believe as they see fit, and the right to persuade others to convert. Under the Statute, the right to convert from one religious faith to another, therefore, is also protected. Slaves and American Indians were not protected by the Statute, however, and were routinely forced to convert.
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