Church Quote by Hugo Black
“The Establishment Clause stands as an expression of principle on the part of the Founders of our Constitution that religion is too personal, too sacred, too holy, to permit its 'unhallowed perversion' by a civil magistrate.”
About This Quote
Source Supreme Court Opinion: United States v. Seeger, 1965
Religion is personal and sacred, thus government must not distort it.
In simple terms: Religion is private; government should not alter it.
Key Takeaway
Protect religious freedom.
Themes
religion
government
constitution
Mood
serious
analytical
Type
legal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- education
- public law
Key Concepts
separation of church and state
civil liberties
Questions to Reflect On
- How should the state handle religious diversity?
- What limits exist on religious expression?
A Different Perspective
Balancing pluralism can be complex.
![“If someone has a Muslim background and they're willing to reject those tenets and to accept the way of life that we have and clearly will swear to place our [American] Constitution above their religion, then, of course, they will be considered infidels and heretics, but at least I would then be…” quote by Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/791/benjamin-carson-955_accepting_if-someone-has-a-muslim-background-and-t_800557.jpg)
![“Approving some religious claims while deeming others unworthy of accommodation could be 'perceived as favoring one religion over another,' the very 'risk the [Constitution's] Establishment Clause was designed to preclude.” quote by Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/963/ruth-bader-ginsburg-1906_accommodations_approving-some-religious-claims-while-de_2641268.jpg)
![“T]he church is not a place. It's not a building. It's not a preaching point. It's not a spiritual service provider. It's a people - the new covenant, blood-bought people of God. That's why Paul said, 'Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her' (Eph. 5:25). He didn't give himself up for a…” quote by Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7a4/mark-dever-3175_blood_t-he-church-is-not-a-place-it-s-not-a-bu_3297.jpg)
