[Steelfish]

Because Virginia did not wish to have a state religion and have in place the coercive power of the state in favor of one specific religion. This would offend the freedoms of conscience and belief. A read of the debates on this provides further clarification. It was never meant to refute the Biblical basis of the founding principles.

For more:
http://www.mantecabulletin.com/news/archive/966

[Steelfish]

http://www.mantecabulletin.com/news/archive/9667/

[LomanBill]

[It was never meant to refute the Biblical basis of the founding principles.]

 

"in proof that they meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mohammedan, the Hindoo and Infidel of every denomination."

 

"[the] Mohammedan, the Hindoo and Infidel of every denomination"?  Rather a strange lot to afford equal protection IF the founder's intent was to create a solely Christian state.