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Atheism Quote by Elihu Root

“It is not a question of religion, or of creed, or of party; it is a question of declaring and maintaining the great American principle of eternal separation between Church and State.” quote by Elihu Root
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“It is not a question of religion, or of creed, or of party; it is a question of declaring and maintaining the great American principle of eternal separation between Church and State.”

Elihu Root

About This Quote

Source Speech: Remarks on Church-State Separation, 1905

The principle is that government must stay neutral on religion, keeping church and state distinct.

In simple terms: Keep government and religion separate.

Key Takeaway

Uphold secular governance.

Themes

separation of church and state religious freedom government neutrality

Mood

thoughtful serious

Type

political legal

When to use this quote

  • policy drafting
  • legal education
  • public debate
  • civic activism

Key Concepts

constitutional law civil liberties political theory

Questions to Reflect On

  • How should a pluralistic society handle religious symbols in public spaces?
  • What limits should exist on government involvement in religious matters?
A Different Perspective

Balancing religious expression with secular law can be contentious.

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