Citizen Advocates for Constitutional Principles

Constitutional Gems - # 753 - 12-31-2007

Religious Freedom

I wish to give you two quotes about religion.

[When] the [Virginia] bill for establishing religious freedom... was finally passed,... a singular proposition proved that its protection of opinion was meant to be universal. Where the preamble declares that coercion is a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, an amendment was proposed, by inserting the word "Jesus Christ," so that it should read "a departure from the plan of Jesus Christ, the holy author of our religion." The insertion was rejected by a great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend within the mantle of its protection the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mahometan, the Hindoo and infidel of every denomination. --Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson. ME 1:67

Religious freedom is vital, critical, to any society that wishes to be free. Aside from the need of a people to show reverence for and to worship God in whatever manner they deem acceptable between themselves and God, the concept of this freedom strikes to the core of freedom of conscience, freedom of thought, freedom of opinion. What is the difference between a government that will regulate what and how one may worship and a government that will regulate what one may think and believe? There is none. Tyranny against is tyranny against freedom. A people that are not free to think or believe as they will are no freer than a caged and muzzled dog.

Art. 3. Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged. -- Northwest Ordinance (1787)

The Founders did not see a wall that kept religion influence out of government. As with Jefferson, a wall was seen that was to keep government out of religion. It was seen by the Founders that religion was a vital part of good government and education.

(Contributed by George Sweeney)

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