Does anyone know if Virginia had any religious tests for office holding either before or after the Revolution. The 1776 Constitution says little about Religious, but in fact the state maintained an established church until after the Revolution. Similarly, while the 1776 constitution proclaims the right "to the free exercise of religion" (Va. Dec. of Rights, Sec. 16) but we know Baptists were viciously persecuted in the 1770s and 1780s. So, were there statutes (rather a constitutional provision) limiting office holding? ---- Paul Finkelman President William McKinley Distinguished Professor of Law Albany Law School 80 New Scotland Avenue Albany, NY 12208 518-445-3386 (p) 518-445-3363 (f) [log in to unmask] www.paulfinkelman.com ______________________________________ To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html