Our Rich History of Faith

OUR RICH HISTORY OF FAITH -- (House of Representatives - June 17, 2008)

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Mr. WITTMAN of Virginia. I thank the gentleman from Virginia for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the significant contributions of Thomas Jefferson to the religious heritage of this great Nation.

Thomas Jefferson stated in the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom in 1779 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 opinions in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities.''

Our Founding Fathers conquered tremendous obstacles to establish our esteemed United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The adoption of these documents as laws of the land brought forth the certainty that we would live in a Nation where our natural rights as citizens are defended with all our might.

Thomas Jefferson, the second President of the United States, and one of our Nation's Founding Fathers, understood the need for protecting our natural rights. All of these rights were important to him, but none meant more than the freedom of religion.

The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom was written in 1779 by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The statute declares that compulsory religion is wrong, that no religion should be enforced on an individual, and that the freedom of religion is a natural right. As a Virginian, I am indebted to the Commonwealth and the General Assembly for the adoption in 1786 of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. The statute's doctrine and principles have inspired individuals beyond the Commonwealth and across the Nation.

Thomas Jefferson requested that three of his greatest accomplishments be listed on his epitaph. Freedom of religion was so important to him that the Virginia Statute for Religious

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Freedom was listed along with the founding of the University of Virginia and the writing of the United States Declaration of Independence as his greatest lifetime achievements. The statute ultimately facilitated the path to complete religious freedom in the United States and was eventually included in the first amendment to our Constitution.

Jefferson believed and argued that the concept of enforced religion is entirely erroneous, and he fought to uphold any measure that would contradict his belief in religious freedom. Throughout the years since Jefferson, our Nation has undergone tremendous internal and external turmoil, and it has gone through some significant transition. Yet, the right of religious freedom has stood tried and true.

I am privileged to join my colleagues from Virginia, Representative Forbes, and 83 other cosponsors in signing my name on House Resolution 888, legislation which will continue to preserve and affirm our natural rights that were set forth by our Nation's Founding Fathers.

I am honored to live in such a Nation where I can openly profess my faith in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to share with others Christ's word, as well as the impact His words have on my life.

Jefferson once stated, ``From the dissensions among Sects themselves arise necessarily a right of choosing and necessity of deliberating to which we will conform. But if we choose for ourselves, we must allow others to

choose also, and so reciprocally, this establishes religious liberty.''

I am truly grateful to Thomas Jefferson, a Virginian, a true patriot, a Founding Father, and above all else, a leader whose vision has stood the test of time and a man who stood so resolutely for religious freedom in our Nation.

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