b) Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson introduced the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom in 1786, advocating for the separation of church and state. This groundbreaking legislation established religious liberty and the principle that government should not impose any religious doctrine on its citizens. Jefferson’s statute was a significant step forward in ensuring freedom of religion, a concept that later influenced the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The statute reflects Jefferson’s Enlightenment ideals and his commitment to individual rights, contributing to the foundation of religious pluralism in the United States.