(6) The General Assembly cannot enact a law whereby private property would be taken or damaged for public uses without just compensation. The General Assembly has the authority to define the term "Public Uses." Originally in Virginia, the courts decided this definition, but an amendment later transferred this power from the courts to the General Assembly, making it a legislative rather than a judicial decision. The sovereign power of a state to take private property for public purposes with proper compensation is called the "right of eminent domain." The General Assembly must abide by such a right. Therefore, a resident in Virginia is guaranteed protection from having his private property seized from him for unfair or unjust compensation. In case of a dispute over the fair value of such property, the court decides the fair amount. (7) The General Assembly cannot compel an individual to frequent or support a particular religious place of worship and cannot force an individual to suffer because of his religious beliefs or opinions. All individuals are to be guaranteed their religious freedom and the General Assembly cannot require religious tests, bestow certain privileges or advantages to a particular sect or denomination and cannot pass any law requiring or authorizing any official church within the state. Likewise, the General Assembly cannot levy taxes on the people forcing them to support the activities of a particular church or the building program of any house of worship. The General Assembly, therefore, is forbidden to interfere with the religious belief and worship of the inhabitants within the state. Another section of the Constitution forbids the General Assembly from incorporating churches or granting charters of incorporation to any religious denomination. These religious safeguards for a person's individual beliefs are primarily repetitions of the provisions of Thomas Jefferson's "Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom." Since it is more difficult to change a provision of a constitution than a statute or a law, these provisions were included in the Virginia Constitution for emphasis and for a more enduring effect. The General Assembly is also forbidden to authorize lotteries (the distribution of prizes determined by chance or by lot) or to allow the residents of the state to buy, sell, or transfer lottery tickets or chances.