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When Virginia was passing their bill for religious freedom, there was some issue whether to make it freedom to be a Christian of any kind or to be anything you chose. The issue was settled in the preamble of the declaration.
Where the preamble declares that coercion is a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, an amendment was proposed, by inserting the word "Jesus Christ," so that it should read "a departure from the plan of Jesus Christ, the holy author of our religion."
"The insertion was rejected by a great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend within the mantle of its protection the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mahometan, the Hindoo and infidel of every denomination." emphasis added.
- Thomas Jefferson: Autobiography, 1821. ME 1:67
in·fi·del (nf-dl, -dl)
n.
1. An unbeliever with respect to a particular religion, especially Christianity or Islam.
2. One who has no religious beliefs.
3. One who doubts or rejects a particular doctrine, system, or principle.
infidel
n : a person who does not acknowledge your God
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