Disestablishmentarianism Collides with the FIrst Amendment: The Ghost of Thomas Jefferson Still Haunts Churches

Author(s)

Mathew D. Staver, Liberty UniversityFollow
Anita L. Staver, Liberty UniversityFollow

Publication Date

2002

Document Type

Article

Disciplines

Constitutional Law | Law | Property Law and Real Estate | Religion Law

Comments

Published in 33 Cumberland Law Review 43.

Abstract

This history of church-state relations in the Commonwealth of Virginia date back to Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Efforts by Jefferson and others to disestablish the state church may be likened to an army conquering a foreign enemy. The state established church was viewed as a remnant of the British government. Disestablishment was considered to be part of the ongoing Revolution. As this article will show, the methods of disestablishment included prohibiting the incorporation of churches, confiscating property, and limiting the amount of real and personal property that churches may own.

Recommended Citation

Staver, Mathew D. and Staver, Anita L., "Disestablishmentarianism Collides with the FIrst Amendment: The Ghost of Thomas Jefferson Still Haunts Churches" (2002). Faculty Publications and Presentations. 22.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/lusol_fac_pubs/22