American heroes (1): Thomas Jefferson

«Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia 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; 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.»


(Constituição do Estado federado da Virgínia, 1785-86; atribui-se este «laicismo agressivo» - como diria um católico qualquer - à influência de Thomas Jefferson.)