Final answer:
The main idea of James Madison on Religious Freedom is the emphasis on religious tolerance and individual freedom, which led to the separation of church and state and the inclusion of religious freedom in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main idea of the excerpt concerning James Madison on Religious Freedom is the emphasis on religious tolerance and individual freedom (option b). The excerpt discusses the role James Madison played in the enactment of the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom in 1786, which separated civil liberties from religious beliefs and ended state support for the Anglican Church. The narrative also touches upon the influence of Enlightenment thinkers like Locke on American ideals, which argued for a separation of church and state and the liberty of conscience. It explains how this concept evolved into the protections enshrined in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, specifically the clauses against establishing a state religion and ensuring the free exercise of religion, which guarantees individuals the freedom to practice their religion without government interference.