Posted on 03/21/2008 6:49:49 AM PDT by Loud Mime
“[R]eligion and virtue are the only foundations, not of republicanism and of all free government, but of social felicity under all government and in all the combinations of human society.”
John Adams
"May the father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths, and make us in all our several vocations useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly happy."
George Washington (letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, August 1790)
"[R]eligion, or the duty which we owe to our creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and this is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other.
Virginia Bill of Rights, Article 16 1776
"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.
Thomas Jefferson1782 - Notes on the State of Virginia
"The civil rights of none, shall be abridged on account of religious belief or worship, nor shall any national religion be established, nor shall the full and equal rights of conscience be in any manner, or on any pretext infringed."
James Madison proposed amendment to the Constitution, given in a speech in the House of Representatives
"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between church and State."
Thomas Jefferson 1802 - letter to a Committee of the Danbury Baptist Association, Connecticut
"I consider the government of the United States as interdicted by the Constitution from intermeddling with religious institutions, their doctrines, discipline, or exercises. This results not only from the provision that no law shall be made respecting the establishment or free exercise of religion, but from that also which reserves to the States the powers not delegated to the United States. Certainly, no power to prescribe any religious exercise or to assume authority in any religious discipline has been delegated to the General Government. It must then rest with the States."
Thomas Jefferson 1808 - letter to Samuel Miller
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“You and I know and do not believe that life is so dear and peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery. If nothing is worth dying for, when did this begin? Should Moses have told the children of Israel to live in slavery under the pharaohs? Should Christ have refused the cross? Should the patriots of Concord Bridge have thrown down their guns and refused to fire the shot heard round the world?”
Ronald Reagan (1964)
Easter Ping
Thanks for the post. Watch out for the “flames”, from those who say you took these quotes out of context or that the FF really did not mean it or what other “its not true”......
Try explaining that to some.
Ping for later enjoyment.
Did I mention the smoke from the open fire in the fireplace of the Tavern's main room? Or the lack of Federal inspectors over the owner/brewers beers and ales?
It's plain to see that Jefferson just didn't get it and that if he were alive today he'd demand socialized medicine pick somebody else's pocket to fix his broken leg! Why if it was up to him he demand that the coach not move until everyone had their belts and helmets on.
/liberal retort
If you frame your arguments around the original constitution you'll have little problem.
But, but...that would mean we couldn not file lawsuits if we were offended!
We should all aspire to know it as well as you do. I will be looking Article IV Section 4 this afternoon.
What are you doing? Trying to force youre religion on everyone? :)
Ok, you have me laughing!
ping
Thanks again L.M.!
Have a Peaceful, and Reflective Easter...
bttt
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