Famous Thomas Jefferson Quote 

"The legitimate powers
of government extend to such acts
only as are injurious to others.
But it does me no injury
for my neighbor to say
there are twenty gods, or no God.
It neither picks my pocket
nor breaks my leg."

by:
Thomas Jefferson
(1743-1826), US Founding Father, drafted the Declaration of Independence, 3rd US President
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Reader comments about this quote:
Thus, any attempt to extend one's views on religion to others--whether by Christendom, Communism, Islam, Humanism or other--is a violation of freedom.
 -- Donovan, Chicago		 
I think that Jefferson was saying that since voicing one's views cannot harm you, there is no need for government to interfere, so long as it isn't the government trying to extend the views of one particular sect or creed. Freedom of speech doesn't just include the right to speak your mind without fear of censorship, it also includes the freedom to turn off the radio, turn off the TV, or walk away from the protest rather than whining to your local politician about how your rights were violated because you had to listen to someone else's drivel
 -- Josh, Palm Springs		 
Yes. Thank you, Thomas Jefferson. Unfortunately, the government still seems to think it's okay to endorse theism when it's obviously unconstitutional.
 -- Anonymous		 
In other words, the only authority government should have is the power to stop people from harming each other. Nothing more.
 -- Dani, Coppell		 
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