"No citizen enjoys genuine freedom of religious conviction
until the state is indifferent to every form
of religious outlook from Atheism to Zoroastrianism."
by:
Harold J. Laski
(1893-1950) British political theorist, economist, author, and lecturer
Source:
Grammar of Politics, 1925
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Reader comments about this quote:
That the U.S. was SPECIFICALLY founded to uphold principles such as this, but still isn't culturally mature enough to fully grasp the idea is nothing short of tragic.
 -- XaurreauX, New York, NY, USA     
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    how does this have to do with the Bible?
     -- Mystery     
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    Mystery, This quote isn't supposed to be about the Bible.
     -- Anonymous     
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     -- Anonymous      
     -- Dmitriy, Knoxville      
     -- jim k, Austin      

    I agree to a point.  A "religious outlook" implies no coercion, merely a point of view.  When that point of view dictates actions that violate the inalienable rights of others, it is not just an "outlook," it is a form of law, placing priests and clerics above the common people and the common law.  The Islamification of many Western cities is essentially colonization with their own theocracy governing the people  death penalties for violations against 'Islam' are commonplace.  This is not just an outlook, and therefore cannot just be tolerated without direct conflict with the American principles enshrined by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.


     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    Originally, this nation was to be a jurisdiction of nature's laws (Declaration of Independence). The occupying statist theocracy now infesting this land mandates enslavement according to government (gods) ecclesiastical dogmas (does not recognize or allow such "law"). Religions that may compete for doctrinal life styles foreign to the occupying statist theocracy are not allowed. Law is a body of absolutes (science, math, etc.) and applies equally to all individuals. Religion is an observation of ethics, morals and other abstracts that may or may not be in compliance to / with nature's law. There is minimized freedom of religion when other than pure justice is used as the standard (pure justice is ONLY applicable to nature's law).
     -- Mike,, Norwalk     
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    Mike, I am finishing up a book on Power and Liberty using quotes from this site and summarized commentary over the years.  I'm including a chapter on the "statist theocracy" based on your many contributions.  If you would be so kind, please email me at liberty.quotes@libertytree.ca so I can send you a first draft.  I'd like to get your comments on it.  When published I can send you a hard copy.  Let me know.  Cheers!
     -- Editor, Liberty Quotes     
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    We will find that our search for substantialism will lead us little time for the insubstantial. Atheism is not a religion. It is a principled formulation of no supernatural phenomena. Religion should be treated as a mental disorder. Science entails the search for order.
     -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown     
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