What were the Founding Fathers' views on religious freedom and the separation of church and state?

The Founding Fathers of the United States had diverse views on religious freedom and the separation of church and state. Some, like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, strongly believed in the separation of church and state and advocated for it to be enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. They believed that the government should not be able to establish a state religion or interfere with the free exercise of religion.

Others, like George Washington and John Adams, believed in the importance of religion in fostering morality and virtue, but also believed that the government should not interfere in matters of religion. They supported the idea of religious freedom but did not necessarily advocate for the strict separation of church and state.

Despite these differing views, the Founding Fathers worked together to ensure that the U.S. Constitution protected individual rights, including the right to freedom of religion. The First Amendment of the Constitution prohibits the government from establishing a state religion and protects the right to free exercise of religion.

Overall, the Founding Fathers believed in the importance of religious freedom and recognized the potential for government interference in matters of religion. Their views on the separation of church and state varied, but they worked together to ensure that the U.S. Constitution protected the rights of individuals to practice their religion without government interference.