--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What modernity requires is not that you…" description: "\"What modernity requires is not that you cease living according to your faith, but that you accept that others may differ and that therefore politics re..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/756/andrew-sullivan-4198_accepting_what-modernity-requires-is-not-that-you_89951.jpg" --- # What modernity requires is not that you cease living… ![“What modernity requires is not that you cease living according to your faith, but that you accept that others may differ and that therefore politics requires a form of discourse that is reasonable and accessible to believer and non-believer alike. This religious restraint in politics is critical…” quote by Andrew Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/756/andrew-sullivan-4198_accepting_what-modernity-requires-is-not-that-you_89951.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/756/andrew-sullivan-4198_accepting_what-modernity-requires-is-not-that-you_89951.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/756/andrew-sullivan-4198_accepting_what-modernity-requires-is-not-that-you_89951.jpg) > “What modernity requires is not that you cease living according to your faith, but that you accept that others may differ and that therefore politics requires a form of discourse that is reasonable and accessible to believer and non-believer alike. This religious restraint in politics is critical to the maintenance of liberal democracy.” [Andrew Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-sullivan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Liberal democracy requires political discourse that respects both believers and non‑believers, allowing faith to coexist with secular reasoning. **In simple terms:** Politics must be inclusive of all beliefs. Key Takeaway Reasonable discourse bridges faith and secularism. Themes politics religion democracy discourse pluralism Mood analytical hopeful Type philosophical political When to use this quote - legislative debates on moral issues - interfaith community forums Key Concepts political philosophy secularism religious tolerance Practical Applications - Design public forums that welcome diverse belief perspectives Questions to Reflect On - How can we ensure political dialogue remains reasonable for both believers and skeptics? - What safeguards protect democratic values when faith influences policy? A Different Perspective Deeply held convictions may still clash, limiting truly neutral discourse. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accepting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accepting/) [Believer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believer/) [Cease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cease/) [Critical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critical/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Discourse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discourse/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form/) [Liberal democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberal-democracy/) [Maintenance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maintenance/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Modernity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modernity/) [Modernity Requires](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modernity-requires-1121980/) [Non believer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/non-believer/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Politics Requires](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics-requires-1121981/) [Reasonable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reasonable/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Religious Restraint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious-restraint-1121982/) [Restraint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/restraint/) ## Related quotes > [“All of which indicates that he's quite a fast learner. When you approve of a politician, this is known as flexibility; when you don't,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-ivans/all-of-which-indicates-that-he-s-quite-a-fast-learner-when-you/) [Molly Ivans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-ivans/) > [To succeed in big-city politics requires a powerful, motivating vision of a better world, a plan to get there, a willingness to meet constituents…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-nutter/to-succeed-in-big-city-politics-requires-a-powerful-motivating-vision/) [Michael Nutter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-nutter/) > [“Ethical politics requires more than rational demystification.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-bennett/ethical-politics-requires-more-than-rational-demystification/) [Jane Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-bennett/) > [“Politics requires sacrifice. The sacrifice of others, of course.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dobbs/politics-requires-sacrifice-the-sacrifice-of-others-of-course/) [Michael Dobbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dobbs/) > [I think everyone knows how much of a joint effort being in politics is. It requires all kinds of sacrifices and all kinds of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-healey/i-think-everyone-knows-how-much-of-a-joint-effort-being-in-politics/) [Kerry Healey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-healey/) > [I like the pluralism of modernity; it doesn't threaten me or my faith. And if one's faith is dependent on being reinforced in every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-sullivan/i-like-the-pluralism-of-modernity-it-doesn-t-threaten-me-or-my-faith/) [Andrew Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-sullivan/) > [Progress in computer science is made with the distribution of revolutionary software systems and the publication of revolutionary books. We don't need a fancy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-greenspun/progress-in-computer-science-is-made-with-the-distribution-of/) [Philip Greenspun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-greenspun/) > [But the lack of faith could just as well be a crutch for non-believers, allowing them to live their lives without any concept of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-coren/but-the-lack-of-faith-could-just-as-well-be-a-crutch-for-non/) [Michael Coren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-coren/) > [We are called not simply to communicate the gospel to nonbelievers; we must also intentionally celebrate the gospel before them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/we-are-called-not-simply-to-communicate-the-gospel-to-nonbelievers-we/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [As a non believer I don't get the idea of asking god for things via prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uday-chopra/as-a-non-believer-i-don-t-get-the-idea-of-asking-god-for-things-via/) [Uday Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uday-chopra/) > [I have one thing to say to those non-believers. Don't ever underestimate the heart of a champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudy-tomjanovich/i-have-one-thing-to-say-to-those-non-believers-don-t-ever/) [Rudy Tomjanovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudy-tomjanovich/) > [The doubters said, "Man can not fly," The doers said, "Maybe, but we'll try," And finally soared In the morning glow While non-believers Watched…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/the-doubters-said-man-can-not-fly-the-doers-said-maybe-but-we-ll-try/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [Religion has actually convinced people that there's an invisible man living in the sky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/religion-has-actually-convinced-people-that-there-s-an-invisible-man/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [“I am non-believer (And nothing is wrong with that)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deyth-banger/i-am-non-believer-and-nothing-is-wrong-with-that/) [Deyth Banger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deyth-banger/) > [I am convinced that human nature is basically affectionate and good. If our behavior follows our kind and loving nature, immense benefits will result,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-am-convinced-that-human-nature-is-basically-affectionate-and-good/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) ## More by Andrew Sullivan > [True belief is not about blind submission. It is about open-eyed acceptance, and acceptance requires persistent distance from the truth, and that distance is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-sullivan/true-belief-is-not-about-blind-submission-it-is-about-open-eyed/) [Andrew Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-sullivan/) > [I'm gay. I always have been and I always will be, and I'm happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-sullivan/i-m-gay-i-always-have-been-and-i-always-will-be-and-i-m-happy/) [Andrew Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-sullivan/) > [Although I never publicly defended promiscuity, I never publicly attacked it. I attempted to avoid the subject, in part because I felt, and often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-sullivan/although-i-never-publicly-defended-promiscuity-i-never-publicly/) [Andrew Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-sullivan/) > [The day of reckoning is not just coming for Saddam Hussein. It's coming for the anti-war movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-sullivan/the-day-of-reckoning-is-not-just-coming-for-saddam-hussein-it-s/) [Andrew Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-sullivan/) > [For me, friendship has always been the most accessible of relationships - certainly far more so than romantic love. Friendship, I learned, provided a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-sullivan/for-me-friendship-has-always-been-the-most-accessible-of/) [Andrew Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-sullivan/) > [The first person I came out to was God. And the first conversation I ever had with anybody was in prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-sullivan/the-first-person-i-came-out-to-was-god-and-the-first-conversation-i/) [Andrew Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-sullivan/) > [If religion is about truth, why is it so afraid of error?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-sullivan/if-religion-is-about-truth-why-is-it-so-afraid-of-error/) [Andrew Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-sullivan/) > [“Even if it's deep unhappiness, it's your unhappiness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-sullivan/even-if-it-s-deep-unhappiness-it-s-your-unhappiness/) [Andrew Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-sullivan/) > [Monsters remain human beings. In fact, to reduce them to a subhuman level is to exonerate them of their acts of terrorism and mass…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-sullivan/monsters-remain-human-beings-in-fact-to-reduce-them-to-a-subhuman/) [Andrew Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-sullivan/) > [Well, in the past, the size of government was one of the more fundamental dividing lines between Right and Left. The Right was supposed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-sullivan/well-in-the-past-the-size-of-government-was-one-of-the-more/) [Andrew Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-sullivan/) > [I've never been a partisan, I've never been a Republican, I've never been a Democrat, ever, which is why I was very frustrated being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-sullivan/i-ve-never-been-a-partisan-i-ve-never-been-a-republican-i-ve-never/) [Andrew Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-sullivan/) > [I think essentially corrupting institutions in Washington are turning conservatism into something that is really very creepy, but also emotionally and psychically powerful for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-sullivan/i-think-essentially-corrupting-institutions-in-washington-are-turning/) [Andrew Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-sullivan/) > [I believe that there are moments in sex that are so awesome that they actually reflect God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-sullivan/i-believe-that-there-are-moments-in-sex-that-are-so-awesome-that-they/) [Andrew Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-sullivan/) > [Every generation is born into, for the most part, a heterosexual family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-sullivan/every-generation-is-born-into-for-the-most-part-a-heterosexual-family/) [Andrew Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-sullivan/) > [The simple truth is that there isn't a single civil right I would deny to an evangelical Christian. I've defended their freedom of religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-sullivan/the-simple-truth-is-that-there-isn-t-a-single-civil-right-i-would/) [Andrew Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-sullivan/) [Explore all 114 Andrew Sullivan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-sullivan/) ## More Accepting quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [Laughing, laughing, laughing, laughing! It is the jester! A voice from the Void, to cheer poor Cicero! I accept your gift, dearest Night Mother.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/laughing-laughing-laughing-laughing-it-is-the-jester-a-voice-from-the/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [This duo inside of me causes the perfect opportunity to live and learn twice as fast as those who choose to accept simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/this-duo-inside-of-me-causes-the-perfect-opportunity-to-live-and/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [Don't be bitter. Everybody suffers. If you can accept your suffering then you will understand other people better. Be grateful for pain. Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [It takes an unusually philosophic mind to accept that all one’s suffering might be to no end, really, in the larger scheme of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-takes-an-unusually-philosophic-mind-to-accept-that-all-one-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No nation being under another nation can accept gifts, and kick at the responsibility attached to those gifts, imposed by the conquering nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/no-nation-being-under-another-nation-can-accept-gifts-and-kick-at-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Even with clothing naked animals, there were people who wanted to send in money. A woman in Santa Barbara, California, sent a $40,000 check.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-abel/even-with-clothing-naked-animals-there-were-people-who-wanted-to-send/) [Alan Abel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-abel/) > [Society understands the architecture of academia and knows there are relevant qualifications in different fields, and the media accepts the idea of specialisations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-griffiths/society-understands-the-architecture-of-academia-and-knows-there-are/) [Jay Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-griffiths/) > [Whatever your conscious mind assumes and believes to be true, your subconscious mind will accept and bring to pass. Believe in good fortune, divine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murphy/whatever-your-conscious-mind-assumes-and-believes-to-be-true-your/) [Joseph Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murphy/) > [Losing someone is easy, but accepting it is hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/losing-someone-is-easy-but-accepting-it-is-hard/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [… and so he tried to accept the ache in his heart as what Dr. Larch would call the common symptoms of normal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/and-so-he-tried-to-accept-the-ache-in-his-heart-as-what-dr-larch/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [I think what was special about 'Music by Prudence' was the classic story of the title subject's life path - from being an outcast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-think-what-was-special-about-music-by-prudence-was-the-classic/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [As my films are born at the moment when they are reflected into another person's mind and memories, there are no misconceptions. I totally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pirjo-honkasalo/as-my-films-are-born-at-the-moment-when-they-are-reflected-into/) [Pirjo Honkasalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pirjo-honkasalo/) [Browse all 6,788 Accepting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accepting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What modernity requires is not that you cease living according to your faith, but that you accept that others may differ and that therefore politics requires a form of discourse that is reasonable and accessible to believer and non-believer alike. 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