Atheism Quotes by James Madison

Rulers who wished to subvert the public liberty, may have found an established Clergy convenient auxiliaries. A just Government instituted to secure…

— James Madison

“Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind, and unfits it for every noble enterprise, every expanded prospect. [ Letter to William Bradford…

— James Madison

The settled opinion here is that religion is essentially distinct from Civil Govt. and exempt from its cognizance; that a connection between…

— James Madison

Congress should not establish a religion, and enforce the legal observation of it by law, nor compel men to worship God in…

— James Madison

Every new and successful example of a perfect separation between ecclesiastical and civil matters is of importance.

— James Madison

I have ever regarded the freedom of religious opinions and worship as equally belonging to every sect.

— James Madison

There is not a shadow of right in the general government to intermingle with religion. Its least interference with it would be…

— James Madison

Torrents of blood have been spilt in the world in vain attempts of the secular arm to extinguish religious discord, by proscribing…

— James Madison

A zeal for different opinions concerning religion...[has] divided mankind into parties, inflamed them with mutual animosity, and rendered them much more disposed…

— James Madison

Because the bill in reserving a certain parcel of land in the United States for the use of said Baptist Church comprises…

— James Madison

Who does not see that the same authority which can establish Christianity, in exclusion of all other Religions, may establish with the…

— James Madison

It degrades from the equal rank of Citizens all those whose opinions in Religion do not bend to those of the Legislative…

— James Madison

When indeed Religion is kindled into enthusiasm, its force like that of other passions is increased by the sympathy of a multitude.…

— James Madison

How a regulation so unjust in itself, so foreign to the authority of Congress, and so hurtful to the sale of public…

— James Madison

The civil Government, though bereft of every thing like an associated hierarchy, possesses the requisite stability, and performs its functions with complete…

— James Madison

Strongly guarded as is the separation between Religion and Government in the Constitution of the United States, the danger of encroachment by…

— James Madison

I have received your letter of the 6th, with the eloquent discourse delivered at the consecration of the Jewish Synagogue. Having ever…

— James Madison

[T]he bill exceeds the rightful authority to which governments are limited by the essential distinction between civil and religious functions, and violates…

— James Madison

The civil government ... functions with complete success ... by the total separation of the Church from the State.

— James Madison

The establishment of the chaplainship to Congress is a palpable violation of ... constitutional principles.

— James Madison

Are not the daily devotions conducted by these legal ecclesiastics already degenerating into a scanty attendance, and a tiresome formality?

— James Madison

And may I not be allowed to ... read in the character of the American people, in their devotion to true liberty…

— James Madison

Because the bill vests in the said incorporated church an authority to provide for the support of the poor and the education…

— James Madison

The general government is proscribed from the interfering, in any manner whatsoever, in matters respecting religion; and it may be thought to…

— James Madison