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[[George Mason]] (1725-92) drafted the Virginia Declaration of Rights (June 7, 1776).  The Declaration of Independence relied on this, and its most famous phrase copied from the bolded Section I below.

[[George Mason]] (1725-92) drafted the '''Virginia Declaration of Rights''' (June 7, 1776).  The Declaration of Independence relied on this, and its most famous phrase copied from the bolded Section I below.

The Virginia Declaration of Rights:

The Virginia Declaration of Rights:

SEC. 16. 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 conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity toward each other.

SEC. 16. 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 conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity toward each other.