--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Democracy demands that the religiously…" description: "\"Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns in to universal, rather than religion-specific, values... it requires that th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/565/barack-obama-17_abortion_democracy-demands-that-the-religiously-m_588083.jpg" --- # Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate… ![“Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns in to universal, rather than religion-specific, values... it requires that their proposals be subject to argument and amenable to reason. Now I may be opposed to abortion for religious reasons, to take one example, but if I…” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/565/barack-obama-17_abortion_democracy-demands-that-the-religiously-m_588083.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/565/barack-obama-17_abortion_democracy-demands-that-the-religiously-m_588083.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/565/barack-obama-17_abortion_democracy-demands-that-the-religiously-m_588083.jpg) > “Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns in to universal, rather than religion-specific, values... it requires that their proposals be subject to argument and amenable to reason. Now I may be opposed to abortion for religious reasons, to take one example, but if I seek to pass a law banning the practice, I cannot simply point to the teachings of my church or evoke God's will. I have to explain why abortion violates some principle that is accessible to people of all faiths, including those with no faith at all.” [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Democracy requires religious arguments to be framed in universal, secular terms so all citizens can evaluate them by reason. **In simple terms:** Religious views must be expressed in secular, logical language. Key Takeaway Translate faith‑based concerns into shared principles. Themes democracy religion reason law pluralism Mood thoughtful serious Type political ethical When to use this quote - legislative debates - public policy discussions - interfaith dialogues - court cases Key Concepts secularism public discourse ethical justification Questions to Reflect On - How can we respect faith while ensuring laws are universally justified? - What shared principles can bridge religious and secular viewpoints? A Different Perspective Religious convictions may be deeply personal and hard to translate into secular terms. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abortion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abortion/) [Argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/) [Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church/) [Demand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demand/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [God 's will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-s-will/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Teaching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teaching/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) ## Related quotes > [Those opposed to abortion cannot simply invoke God's will-they have to explain why abortion violates some principle that is accessible to people of all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/those-opposed-to-abortion-cannot-simply-invoke-god-s-will-they-have/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Faith is not opposed to reason, but it is sometimes opposed to feelings and appearances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/faith-is-not-opposed-to-reason-but-it-is-sometimes-opposed-to/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [The reason I'm opposed to raising the gas tax is I believe it would hurt working Mississippi families more so than anybody else in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tate-reeves/the-reason-i-m-opposed-to-raising-the-gas-tax-is-i-believe-it-would/) [Tate Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tate-reeves/) > [Religious reasons, which is no reason. I notice Skeptic had a review of Dennett's book, Darwin's Dangerous Idea. Religious reasons amount to what Dennett…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-hardin/religious-reasons-which-is-no-reason-i-notice-skeptic-had-a-review-of/) [Garrett Hardin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-hardin/) > [Although all of us may not agree with that particular lifestyle for religious reasons, whatever the reason is, you still treat each other with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/la-porsha-renae/although-all-of-us-may-not-agree-with-that-particular-lifestyle-for/) [La'Porsha Renae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/la-porsha-renae/) > [I am well aware that there are prisoners of conscience in the Soviet Union, including some who have said they have chosen to resist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/i-am-well-aware-that-there-are-prisoners-of-conscience-in-the-soviet/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [“I understand those who, for religious reasons, just can't go along with this. If a church wants to refuse same-sex couples the right to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-understand-those-who-for-religious-reasons-just-can-t-go-along-with/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Gosh, I think faith is a wonderful thing. And I even think religion's a wonderful thing. I know a lot of people want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelsey-grammer/gosh-i-think-faith-is-a-wonderful-thing-and-i-even-think-religion-s-a/) [Kelsey Grammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelsey-grammer/) > [I have no question that the Roman Catholic Church teaches that abortion in virtually all circumstances is wrong. 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But I don't think it is the government's rule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlen-specter/i-am-very-much-opposed-to-abortion-personally-but-i-don-t-think-it-is/) [Arlen Specter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlen-specter/) > [I personally am opposed to abortion, but I will not judge anybody else's right in that regard because I am not a woman and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sheen/i-personally-am-opposed-to-abortion-but-i-will-not-judge-anybody-else/) [Martin Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sheen/) > [I don't think abortion is a good idea. I personally am opposed to abortion, but I will not judge anybody else's right in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sheen/i-don-t-think-abortion-is-a-good-idea-i-personally-am-opposed-to/) [Martin Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sheen/) > [I am 100 percent pro-life and have been my whole life. That means I am opposed to abortion at any stage of pregnancy, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-hawley/i-am-100-percent-pro-life-and-have-been-my-whole-life-that-means-i-am/) [Josh Hawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-hawley/) ## More by Barack Obama > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-peaceful-transition-of-power-is-one-of-the-hallmarks-of-our/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [As opposed to getting into arguments about, well, these folks have been treated fairly so now we're going to be doing things that, very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/as-opposed-to-getting-into-arguments-about-well-these-folks-have-been/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Donald Trump is temperamentally unfit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/donald-trump-is-temperamentally-unfit/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [What we've said to the girls is: 'If you guys ever decide that you're going to get a tattoo, then mommy and me will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/what-we-ve-said-to-the-girls-is-if-you-guys-ever-decide-that-you-re/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Nobody is listening to your telephone calls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/nobody-is-listening-to-your-telephone-calls/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [All of us take offense to anyone who reaps the rewards of living in America without taking on the responsibilities of living in America.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/all-of-us-take-offense-to-anyone-who-reaps-the-rewards-of-living-in/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The world is complicated and full of grays, but there's still truth there to be found.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-world-is-complicated-and-full-of-grays-but-there-s-still-truth/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ That is another theme in the book \[Dreams from My Father\]. How do we exercise more empathy in our public discourse? How do we… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/that-is-another-theme-in-the-book-dreams-from-my-father-how-do-we/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I can say across Europe that many principles that have been taken for granted here around free speech, and around civil liberties and an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-can-say-across-europe-that-many-principles-that-have-been-taken-for/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [So Americans understand the costs of war. 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I think that it refreshes our democracy. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/it-s-good-to-get-fresh-legs-in-the-white-house-i-think-that-it/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Believe it or not, entertainment is part of our American diplomacy, it is part of what makes us exceptional, part of what makes us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/believe-it-or-not-entertainment-is-part-of-our-american-diplomacy-it/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) [Explore all 3,624 Barack Obama quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## More Abortion quotes > [“Conception is the beginning of human life. From the time that an ovum is fertilized a new life begins that is neither that of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declaration-on-procured-abortion-congregation-for-the-doctrine-of-the-faith-1974/conception-is-the-beginning-of-human-life-from-the-time-that-an-ovum/) Declaration on Procured Abortion Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith 1974 > [Hey everyone, in case y'all didn't hear, I'm pregnat, and after discussing it w/ my family, I've decided to get an abortion, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madison-badesheim/hey-everyone-in-case-y-all-didn-t-hear-i-m-pregnat-and-after/) Madison Badesheim > [There was no mistake in us making abortion legal and available on demand. That was what we call progress. Just like it was no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ruffalo/there-was-no-mistake-in-us-making-abortion-legal-and-available-on/) [Mark Ruffalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ruffalo/) > [My favorite Founding Fathers, Christians like John Adams, were absolutely appalled by slavery, and did not own slaves. I think we're going to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-coulter/my-favorite-founding-fathers-christians-like-john-adams-were/) [Ann Coulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-coulter/) > [“David Bereit, Founder of Forty Days for Life, points out that any abortion clinic in America should have a sign in its window that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-price/david-bereit-founder-of-forty-days-for-life-points-out-that-any/) [John Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-price/) > [The Chinese describe themselves as political refugees. Many base that claim on China's strict population laws, which allow them to have only one child.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-koch/the-chinese-describe-themselves-as-political-refugees-many-base-that/) [Ed Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-koch/) > [I'm a pro-life candidate because I believe that science is proving us right every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-fiorina/i-m-a-pro-life-candidate-because-i-believe-that-science-is-proving-us/) [Carly Fiorina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-fiorina/) > [I've noticed that everyone who is for abortion…has been born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-ve-noticed-that-everyone-who-is-for-abortion-has-been-born/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [We talk a lot about how abortion is a medical procedure, but actually if you look at what the other side is doing, they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-northup/we-talk-a-lot-about-how-abortion-is-a-medical-procedure-but-actually/) [Nancy Northup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-northup/) > [“The Vatican won't prosecute pedophile priests but I decide I'm not ready for motherhood and it's condemnation for me? 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Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-w-lynn/) [Browse all 1,629 Abortion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abortion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns in to universal, rather than religion-specific, values... it requires that their proposals be subject to argument and amenable to reason. Now I may be opposed to abortion for religious reasons, to take one example, but if I seek to pass a law banning the practice, I cannot simply point to the teachings of my church or evoke God's will. 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