I will focus on religious liberty and how it became one of the big issues when "creating America" and why it is still a "big issue" in today's America. ... In 1689, Great Britain had passed a religious Act of Toleration, but this meant little for American colonies.4 In his Notes on the State of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson highlighted the fact that in 17th century Virginia, it was punishable for "parents to refuse to have their children baptized," and for various other offenses.5 Sheriffs imprisoned Baptists living within Virginia; Baptist ministers were not given permission to preach th...

• Word Count: 3342
• Approx Pages: 13
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate