Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his god, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between church and state.

Summary

This quote by Thomas Jefferson explains his belief in the separation of church and state. He acknowledges that religious beliefs are personal and should only be accountable to one's own relationship with God. He emphasizes the idea that government should have no jurisdiction over an individual's faith and worship. Jefferson praises the act of the American people in creating a law that explicitly prohibits the establishment of religion or interfering with the free exercise of religion. This "wall of separation" ensures that government focuses solely on governing actions, not opinions or religious matters.