Abortion Quote by Edward Kennedy
“People of faith should not invoke the power of the state to decide what everyone can believe or think or read or do. In such cases, like abortion or prayer or prohibition or sexual identity, the proper role of religion is to appeal to the free conscience of each person, not the coercive rule of secular law.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks on Religion and Public Policy, US Senate, 1992
Religion should influence personal conscience, not be enforced by government law on individual beliefs and actions
In simple terms: Religion guides personal conscience, not state law
Key Takeaway
Respect personal conscience over state coercion
Themes
religion
freedom
conscience
law
public policy
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- debates on abortion
- prayer in schools
- L identity legislation
- religious expression
- policy making
Key Concepts
secularism
human rights
ethical pluralism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance religious freedom with secular law?
- What limits should government place on religious influence?
A Different Perspective
State enforcement may conflict with diverse personal values
![“[W]ords are fine, but it has to be what a generation reads into those words.” quote by Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a8d/edward-kennedy-3423_fine_w-ords-are-fine-but-it-has-to-be-what-a_146874.jpg)
