That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of the conscience; and it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other.
Virginia Bill of Rights article 16 (1776)
![That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore all men are equally entitled to the free](http://cdn.quoteddaily.com/images/patrick-henry/that-religion-or-the-duty-which-we-owe-to-our-creator-and-the-manner-of-discharging-it-can-be-directed.jpg)