--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: With respect to public acknowledgment of…" description: "\"With respect to public acknowledgment of religious belief, it is entirely clear from our nation's historical practices that the Establishment Clause pe..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb2/antonin-scalia-2855_acknowledgment_with-respect-to-public-acknowledgment-of_330001.png" --- # With respect to public acknowledgment of religious belief… ![“With respect to public acknowledgment of religious belief, it is entirely clear from our nation's historical practices that the Establishment Clause permits this disregard of polytheists and believers in unconcerned deities, just as it permits the disregard of devout atheists.” quote by Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb2/antonin-scalia-2855_acknowledgment_with-respect-to-public-acknowledgment-of_330001.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb2/antonin-scalia-2855_acknowledgment_with-respect-to-public-acknowledgment-of_330001.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb2/antonin-scalia-2855_acknowledgment_with-respect-to-public-acknowledgment-of_330001.png) > “With respect to public acknowledgment of religious belief, it is entirely clear from our nation's historical practices that the Establishment Clause permits this disregard of polytheists and believers in unconcerned deities, just as it permits the disregard of devout atheists.” [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Establishment Clause historically allows the government to ignore both polytheistic and atheist perspectives. **In simple terms:** Law treats all belief systems equally by ignoring them. Key Takeaway Recognize that neutrality can mean exclusion. Themes religion law neutrality constitution Mood critical analytical Type legal philosophical When to use this quote - policy making - public education - government statements - legal analysis Key Concepts first amendment separation of church and state Questions to Reflect On - Should neutrality be active inclusion? - How does this view affect religious minorities? A Different Perspective Ignoring beliefs may marginalize minorities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acknowledgment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acknowledgment/) [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Atheist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheist/) [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Believer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believer/) [Deities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deities/) [Establishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/establishment/) [Establishment clause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/establishment-clause/) [Historical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historical/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Religious belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious-belief/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) ## Related quotes > [The Establishment Clause prohibits government from making adherence to a religion relevant in any way to a person's standing in the political community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-day-o-connor/the-establishment-clause-prohibits-government-from-making-adherence/) [Sandra Day O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-day-o-connor/) > ["Respecting" means concerning or with reference to. But it also means with respect~ that is "reverence," "good-will," "regard" to. Taking into account this richer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-paul-stevens/respecting-means-concerning-or-with-reference-to-but-it-also-means/) [John Paul Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-paul-stevens/) > [ Approving some religious claims while deeming others unworthy of accommodation could be 'perceived as favoring one religion over another,' the very 'risk the \[Constitution's\]… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/approving-some-religious-claims-while-deeming-others-unworthy-of/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [“When the First Amendment was finally approved, it contained two separate clauses on religion, each with an independent scope of action. The first clause…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-barton/when-the-first-amendment-was-finally-approved-it-contained-two/) [David Barton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-barton/) > [The Free Exercise Clause at the very least was designed to guarantee freedom of conscience by prohibiting any degree of compulsion in matters of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-a-blackmun/the-free-exercise-clause-at-the-very-least-was-designed-to-guarantee/) [Harry A. Blackmun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-a-blackmun/) > [A profession that we are a nation "under God" is identical, for establishment clause purposes, to a profession that we are a nation "under…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-goodwin/a-profession-that-we-are-a-nation-under-god-is-identical-for/) Alfred Goodwin > [Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/congress-shall-make-no-law-respecting-an-establishment-of-religion-or-3/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [Pulling a crystalline, cogent rule out of the murk of the court's First Amendment, public forum, and Establishment Clause doctrine is an act of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dahlia-lithwick/pulling-a-crystalline-cogent-rule-out-of-the-murk-of-the-court-s/) [Dahlia Lithwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dahlia-lithwick/) > [The Establishment Clause . . . stands as an expression of principle on the part of the Founders . . . that religion is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugo-black/the-establishment-clause-stands-as-an-expression-of-principle-on-the-2/) [Hugo Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugo-black/) > [The Establishment Clause stands as an expression of principle on the part of the Founders of our Constitution that religion is too personal, too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugo-black/the-establishment-clause-stands-as-an-expression-of-principle-on-the/) [Hugo Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugo-black/) > [It is impossible to build sound constitutional doctrine upon a mistaken understanding of Constitutional history... The establishment clause has been expressly freighted with Jefferson's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-rehnquist/it-is-impossible-to-build-sound-constitutional-doctrine-upon-a/) [William Rehnquist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-rehnquist/) > [The establishment clause was transformed from a shield for religion into a cover for the official sanctioning of religious tolerance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-e-reed-jr/the-establishment-clause-was-transformed-from-a-shield-for-religion/) [Ralph E. Reed, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-e-reed-jr/) > [“Everyone is always busy, not until it is something that benefits them, or that which concerns whom they love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/everyone-is-always-busy-not-until-it-is-something-that-benefits-them/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [When a man’s heart is cold and unconcerned about religion – when his hands are never employed in doing God’s work – when his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/when-a-man-s-heart-is-cold-and-unconcerned-about-religion-when-his/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [“Those who are unconcerned in the affairs of their brethren, and take no care, when they have opportunity, to prevent their hurt in their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-henry/those-who-are-unconcerned-in-the-affairs-of-their-brethren-and-take/) [Matthew Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-henry/) ## More by Antonin Scalia > [What is a moderate interpretation of the text? Halfway between what it really means and what you'd like it to mean?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/what-is-a-moderate-interpretation-of-the-text-halfway-between-what-it/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [If you think aficionados of a living Constitution want to bring you flexibility, think again. You think the death penalty is a good idea?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/if-you-think-aficionados-of-a-living-constitution-want-to-bring-you/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [More importantly, the Court forgets that ours is a government of laws and not of men. That means we are governed by the terms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/more-importantly-the-court-forgets-that-ours-is-a-government-of-laws/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [Wringing your hands about states' rights, forget it. They're gone. Basically, the federal government can do whatever it wants. Who's going to protect the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/wringing-your-hands-about-states-rights-forget-it-they-re-gone/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [If you condemn someone who has committed a crime to be tortured, that would be unconstitutional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/if-you-condemn-someone-who-has-committed-a-crime-to-be-tortured-that/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [Burning the flag is a form of expression. Speech doesn't just mean written words or oral words. It could be semaphore. And burning a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/burning-the-flag-is-a-form-of-expression-speech-doesn-t-just-mean/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [Being a good person begins with being a wise person. Then, when you follow your conscience, will you be headed in the right direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/being-a-good-person-begins-with-being-a-wise-person-then-when-you/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [The court's job is to uphold the Constitution and you don't call that off in times of crisis. Would the framers have allowed this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/the-court-s-job-is-to-uphold-the-constitution-and-you-don-t-call-that/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [We have laws against torture. The Constitution says nothing whatever about torture. It speaks of punishment; 'cruel and unusual' punishments are forbidden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/we-have-laws-against-torture-the-constitution-says-nothing-whatever/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [If I have brought any message today, it is this: Have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity. Be fools for Christ.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/if-i-have-brought-any-message-today-it-is-this-have-the-courage-to/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [Many think it not only inevitable but entirely proper that liberty give way to security in times of national crisis--that, at the extremes of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/many-think-it-not-only-inevitable-but-entirely-proper-that-liberty/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [That's the argument of flexibility and it goes something like this: The Constitution is over 200 years old and societies change. It has to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/that-s-the-argument-of-flexibility-and-it-goes-something-like-this/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [Why in the world would you have it interpreted by nine lawyers?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/why-in-the-world-would-you-have-it-interpreted-by-nine-lawyers/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [ Who ever thought that intimacy and spirituality \[whatever that means\] were freedoms? And if intimacy is, one would think Freedom of Intimacy is abridged… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/who-ever-thought-that-intimacy-and-spirituality-whatever-that-means/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [I'm nervous about our civic culture. I'm not sure the Internet is largely the cause of it. It's certainly the cause of careless writing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/i-m-nervous-about-our-civic-culture-i-m-not-sure-the-internet-is/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) [Explore all 146 Antonin Scalia quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) ## More Acknowledgment quotes > [The only significance of life consists in helping to establish the kingdom of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/the-only-significance-of-life-consists-in-helping-to-establish-the/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Every acknowledgment of gratitude is a circumstance of humiliation; and some are found to submit to frequent mortifications of this kind, proclaiming what obligations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/every-acknowledgment-of-gratitude-is-a-circumstance-of-humiliation/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [When we would show any one that he is mistaken, our best course is to observe on what side he considers the subject,--for his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/when-we-would-show-any-one-that-he-is-mistaken-our-best-course-is-to/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [True reconciliation is never cheap, for it is based on forgiveness which is costly. Forgiveness in turn depends on repentance, which has to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/true-reconciliation-is-never-cheap-for-it-is-based-on-forgiveness/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [“Acknowledgment remained absent long-term. She would push to the point of sickness through drinking and activities that made recovery more difficult. She would refuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-winsomer/acknowledgment-remained-absent-long-term-she-would-push-to-the-point/) Neal Winsomer > [Few men are so obstinate in their atheism, that a pressing danger will not compel them to acknowledgment of a divine power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/few-men-are-so-obstinate-in-their-atheism-that-a-pressing-danger-will/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [To me, bitterness is the under-arm odor of wishful weakness. It is the graceless acknowledgment of defeat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zora-neale-hurston/to-me-bitterness-is-the-under-arm-odor-of-wishful-weakness-it-is-the/) [Zora Neale Hurston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zora-neale-hurston/) > [It is a wonderful acknowledgment of what has been a six-year journey to make and release this first film in 'The Lord of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jackson/it-is-a-wonderful-acknowledgment-of-what-has-been-a-six-year-journey/) [Peter Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jackson/) > [There's no praise or acknowledgment paid to women who raise the babies,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gless/there-s-no-praise-or-acknowledgment-paid-to-women-who-raise-the-babies/) [Sharon Gless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gless/) > [The number one goal in resolving a conflict is to make sure both sides maintain their self-esteem. Resolving conflict is rarely about who is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-crum/the-number-one-goal-in-resolving-a-conflict-is-to-make-sure-both/) [Thomas Crum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-crum/) > [That acknowledgment of weakness which we make in imploring to be relieved from hunger and from temptation is surely wisely put in our daily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-makepeace-thackeray/that-acknowledgment-of-weakness-which-we-make-in-imploring-to-be/) [William Makepeace Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-makepeace-thackeray/) > [Under the blessings of Divine Providence ... It becomes us in humility to make our devout acknowledgments to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-k-polk/under-the-blessings-of-divine-providence-it-becomes-us-in-humility-to/) [James K. Polk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-k-polk/) > [“words both of acknowledgment and miscellaneous remark. My thanks are due in three quarters. To the Public, for the indulgent ear it has inclined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/words-both-of-acknowledgment-and-miscellaneous-remark-my-thanks-are/) [Charlotte Brontë](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [It is a significant acknowledgment that the way people are watching television is changing and the model is quickly changing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-zucker/it-is-a-significant-acknowledgment-that-the-way-people-are-watching/) [Jeff Zucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-zucker/) > [A child who's been injured by a parent waits her whole life for some acknowledgment of the wrong that's been done, some validation from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-unger/a-child-who-s-been-injured-by-a-parent-waits-her-whole-life-for-some/) [Lisa Unger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-unger/) [Browse all 119 Acknowledgment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acknowledgment/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "With respect to public acknowledgment of religious belief, it is entirely clear from our nation's historical practices that the Establishment Clause permits this disregard of polytheists and believers in unconcerned deities, just as it permits the disregard of devout atheists.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Antonin Scalia" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/with-respect-to-public-acknowledgment-of-religious-belief-it-is/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acknowledgment" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/with-respect-to-public-acknowledgment-of-religious-belief-it-is/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb2/antonin-scalia-2855_acknowledgment_with-respect-to-public-acknowledgment-of_330001.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb2/antonin-scalia-2855_acknowledgment_with-respect-to-public-acknowledgment-of_330001.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb2/antonin-scalia-2855_acknowledgment_with-respect-to-public-acknowledgment-of_330001.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“With respect to public acknowledgment of religious belief, it is entirely clear from our nation's historical…” — Antonin Scalia", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Antonin Scalia", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "With respect to public acknowledgment of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/with-respect-to-public-acknowledgment-of-religious-belief-it-is/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/with-respect-to-public-acknowledgment-of-religious-belief-it-is/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```