62 Quotes by Thomas Jefferson about Religious

  • Author Thomas Jefferson
  • Quote

    In matters of religion, I have considered that its free exercise is placed by the Constitution independent of the powers of the general government. I have therefore undertaken on no occasion to prescribe the religious exercises suited to it; but have left them as the Constitution found them, under the direction and discipline of State or Church authorities acknowledged by the several religious societies.

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  • Author Thomas Jefferson
  • Quote

    History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance of which their civil as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purposes.

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  • Author Thomas Jefferson
  • Quote

    In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his own.

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  • Author Thomas Jefferson
  • Quote

    All persons shall have full and free liberty of religious opinion; nor shall any be compelled to frequent or maintain any religious institution.

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  • Author Thomas Jefferson
  • Quote

    Subject opinion to coercion: whom will you make your inquisitors? Fallible men; men governed by bad passions, by private as well as public reasons. And why subject it to coercion? To produce uniformity. But is uniformity of opinion desirable? No more than of face and stature.

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  • Author Thomas Jefferson
  • Quote

    The issue today is the same as it has been throughout all history, whether man shall be allowed to govern himself or be ruled by a small elite.

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