America Quote by Diana L. Eck
“There's still plenty of people who have this deep conviction that America is a Christian country and ought to say so in its Constitution, etc. But that's not the legal basis on which we're framed. So the flourishing of religion, of religious diversity, is really built into who we are.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public remarks on religious pluralism, United States, 2020
America’s identity is founded on religious freedom, not a single faith, allowing diverse beliefs to thrive.
In simple terms: America is built on religious freedom, not one religion.
Key Takeaway
Respect and protect religious diversity.
Themes
religious freedom
pluralism
American identity
constitution
Mood
thoughtful
balanced
Type
analytical
informative
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- court cases
- educational curricula
- interfaith initiatives
Key Concepts
separation of church and state
civic pluralism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does religious freedom shape national policy?
- What challenges arise when majority beliefs dominate?
A Different Perspective
Legal frameworks can be contested, limiting practical inclusion.
![“Take an instance: the removal of the motto [In God We Trust] fetched out a clamor from the pulpit; little groups and small conventions of clergymen gathered themselves together all over the country, and one of these little groups, consisting of twenty-two ministers, put up a prodigious assertion…” quote by Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/500/mark-twain-22_christian-community_take-an-instance-the-removal-of-the-mott_486242.jpg)
![“I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. [salutes]” quote by Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d2/bill-hicks-970_america_i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumor_655.jpg)
