Index IntroductionThe Structure of Madison's ArgumentDefending Religious LibertyProtecting Minority RightsRhetorical ForceConclusionIntroductionIn 1784, Patrick Henry proposed a general tax on Virginians to support teachers of Christianity for the benefit of the common good . In response, James Madison wrote the Memorial and Remonstrance in 1785. In the document, Madison opposed the tax by proclaiming it a "dangerous abuse of power" because it violated a man's individual inalienable rights. Furthermore, he proposed a subordination of the secular to the divine and argued that religious freedom was not abandoned upon entering civil society. In other words, people were subject to God first and then to civil society, and since civil society could not regulate a person's religious views, neither could the government. Therefore, any attempt to do so constitutes a usurpation of freedoms by the legislator. Madison began the document by addressing the General Assembly and titling the piece. Immediately it was obvious that Madison intended to do two things; memorial and remonstrance. The grievance was the protest against the tax law and the memory was the motivation to support it. In this way, the document appeared like the Declaration of Independence in the sense that both documents set forth a logical progression of arguments in support of a general conclusion. As a result, Madison's claim was already effectively structured to demonstrate its validity. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The Structure of Madison's Argument "Memorial and Remonstrance" Madison followed a carefully structured approach that enhanced the persuasiveness of his arguments. By titling the document both "Memorial" and "Remonstrance," he signaled his intention to present both a protest against the tax law and the reasoning behind it, mirroring the logical progression of arguments in the Declaration of Independence. Madison's document set the stage for his protest by acknowledging the postponement of the tax law and stating that its enactment would constitute a "dangerous abuse of power." Addressing Virginians as "We the Subscribers," Madison presented himself as a representative of the entire population, underscoring the broad support for his position. This strategic choice strengthened his arguments by highlighting that he spoke for the people. Defending Religious Freedom At the heart of Madison's argument was a solid defense of religious freedom, grounded in several key principles. He initially appealed to the Virginia Declaration of Rights, stating that religion should be guided by "reason and belief" rather than coerced by "force or violence." By drawing a connection between the laws of Virginia and the principles of the Declaration of Independence, Madison established a common foundation that resonated with his audience. Madison further argued that religious freedom was not simply a right but an "inalienable right." He argued that individuals were born free and possessed the inherent right to govern their own minds. Compelling religious beliefs through taxation, he argued, would undermine genuine faith by replacing belief with coercion. Beyond this, Madison asserted that a person's duty to God takes precedence over duty to civil society, both chronologically and in terms of meaning. He emphasized that individuals believe in God before pledging allegiance to society, and that their duties to God supersede their.