Abraham Quote by Barack Obama
“Secularists are wrong when they ask believers to leave their religion at the door before entering into the public square. Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, Williams Jennings Bryan, Dorothy Day, Martin Luther King - indeed, the majority of great reformers in American history - were not only motivated by faith, but repeatedly used religious language to argue for their cause. To say that men and women should not inject their "personal morality" into public policy debates is a practical absurdity.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public address on religious freedom, 2022
He argues that personal faith inevitably shapes public discourse and should not be excluded from policy debates.
In simple terms: Faith influences public policy and should be acknowledged.
Recognize the role of morality in politics.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- legislative debates
- community organizing
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Should personal beliefs be disclosed in public office?
- How to balance secular law with moral convictions?
Excluding faith may alienate many citizens.