Use the excerpt below to answer the question. . . . Proscribing any citizen as unworthy the public confidence . . . Unless he profess [declare] or renounce this or that religious opinion, is depriving him injuriously of those privileges and advantages to which, in common with his fellow citizens, he has a natural right. . . . —Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, 1786 Which Constitutional principle is based on this belief? Group of answer choices establishment of an executive branch separation of church and state independence of the judicial branch right to due process

separation of church and state

Explanation:

'Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom' was outlined by Thomas Jefferson. The Virginia General assembly passed this statute on January 16, 1786. This document outlined a clear 'separation between the church and the state.'

Jefferson considered this document to be one of his proudest achievements. In this document, Jefferson used his mastery of using words and language to his benefit and persuaded his audience to establish a democratic government instead of monarchy, which held the church as a driving institution to run the government.

But in the 'Statute for Religious Freedom' Jefferson separated these two institutions from each other. Therefore, the correct answer is option (B).