Final answer:
The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom had a profound impact by establishing religious freedom in Virginia, inspiring similar laws in other states, challenging the established church's authority, and promoting the separation of church and state. The correct option is A.
Step-by-step explanation:
The impact of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom when it was written was far-reaching and had several significant outcomes. First and foremost, A) It established religious freedom as a fundamental right in Virginia. No longer would residents of the state be compelled to support a particular church or religious practice, which represented a decisive break from the traditional support given to the Church of England.
This groundbreaking legislation also had a ripple effect across the nation, B) inspiring similar legislation in other states. Indeed, this statute served as a model for the religious freedom protections that would eventually be enshrined in the Bill of Rights.
Furthermore, statute C) challenged the established Anglican Church's authority in Virginia by abolishing its status as a state-supported church. This was a revolutionary act at the time, signaling an end to religious monopolies affiliated with government power. Finally, and perhaps most significantly, D) It promoted the separation of church and state. This separation has become one of the hallmarks of the American democratic system, ensuring that governmental institutions remain neutral in matters of religion, thereby allowing a pluralism of religious beliefs to flourish.