Skip to content

Certainly the affirmative pursuit of one's convictions…

“Certainly the affirmative pursuit of one's convictions about the ultimate mystery of the universe and man's relation to it is placed beyond the reach of law. Government may not interfere with organized or individual expressions of belief or disbelief. Propagation of belief - or even of disbelief…” quote by Felix Frankfurter
Download Open image
“Certainly the affirmative pursuit of one's convictions about the ultimate mystery of the universe and man's relation to it is placed beyond the reach of law. Government may not interfere with organized or individual expressions of belief or disbelief. Propagation of belief - or even of disbelief - in the supernatural is protected, whether in church or chapel, mosque or synagogue, tabernacle or meeting-house.”

Felix Frankfurter

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The law should not restrict personal or collective expressions of belief, including supernatural ones, regardless of venue; such freedoms are protected.

In simple terms: Freedom of belief expression is protected.

Key Takeaway

Defend the right to belief expression.

Themes

religion law freedom of expression government limits

Mood

serious analytical

Type

legal philosophical

When to use this quote

  • court cases
  • public policy debates
  • educational curricula
  • media coverage

Key Concepts

constitutional rights separation of church and state

Questions to Reflect On

  • How should societies handle conflicting belief expressions?
  • What limits, if any, should be placed on belief advocacy?
A Different Perspective

Balancing free expression with public order can be contentious.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Felix Frankfurter

Explore all 91 Felix Frankfurter quotes

More Affirmative quotes

Browse all 216 Affirmative quotes