Thomas Jefferson Dissenters

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Madison shared his passion for religious liberty with fellow founding father, Thomas Jefferson. Their collaboration came in 1776 when Virginia’s leaders urgently needed the support of the state’s religious dissenters in the war against Britain. The dissenters were a large and growing community that accounted for approximately one-fifth to one-third of the population, and recognized their opportunity and insisted on improvements in religious freedom in return for their support. (Ragosta) Jefferson and Madison, serving together on the Committee for Religion in the House of Delegates, subsequently led successful efforts to eliminate the religious tax on dissenters. (Ragosta) The bill passed marking a victory for Madison and Jefferson. In their