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Providence seems by every Means intent on making us a great People. May our Virtues publick and private grow with us, and be durable, that Liberty Civil and Religious, may be [secured] to our Posterity, and to all from every Part of the old World that take Refuge among us.
Benjamin Franklin to Rev. Samuel Mather (July 7, 1773).
I never doubted, for instance, the existence of the Deity [God]; that he made the world, and [governed] it by his Providence; that the most acceptable service of God was the doing good to man.
Benjamin Franklin, Autobiography (ca, 1773, 1786).
Thomas Jefferson on Religion and the State:
Weenact that no manshall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened [burdened] in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer, on account of his religious opinions or belief
Thomas Jefferson, A Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom (1777, passed 1786).
I consider the government of the U S. as interdicted by the Constitution from intermeddling with religious institutions, their doctrines, discipline, or exercises.
Thomas Jefferson to Rev. Samuel Miller (January 23, 1808).
James Madison on Religion and the State:
Religion and the government will both exist in greater purity the less they are mixed.
James Madison to Edward Livingston (July 10, 1822).
"The preservation of a free Government requires not merely, that the metes and bounds which separate each department of power be invariably maintained; but more especially that neither of them be suffered to overleap the great Barrier which defends the rights of the people . . . The Rulers who are guilty of such an encroachment, exceed the commission from which they derive their authority, and are Tyrants . . . The People who submit to it are governed by laws made neither by themselves nor by an authority derived from them, and are slaves . . . Above all are they to be considered as retaining an 'equal title to the free exercise of Religion according to the dictates of Conscience'."
James Madison, Memorial and Remonstrance against Religious Assessments (June 20, 1785).
First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution:
Art. I. Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Bill of Rights, First Amendment, Article I (ratified December 15, 1791).
luxury hotels in SorrentoU.S. CONSTITUTION & BILL OF RIGHTS SERIES
The book represents the first volume of the U.S. Constitution & Bill of Rights Series. Each future volume will focus on different Constitutional rights. Our hope is that these books will find their way, not only into private and public schools, but also into places of worship. We offer these books to students, teachers and discussion groups interested in a better understanding of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.
