--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We maintain therefore that in matters of…" description: "\"“We maintain therefore that in matters of Religion, no man’s right is abridged by the institution of Civil Society, and that Religion is wholly exempt ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/james-madison-373_christian-religion_we-maintain-therefore-that-in-matters-of_1756488.jpg" --- # We maintain therefore that in matters of Religion, no… ![“We maintain therefore that in matters of Religion, no man’s right is abridged by the institution of Civil Society, and that Religion is wholly exempt from its cognizance . True it is, that no other rule exists, by which any question which may divide a Society, can be ultimately determined, but the…” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/james-madison-373_christian-religion_we-maintain-therefore-that-in-matters-of_1756488.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/james-madison-373_christian-religion_we-maintain-therefore-that-in-matters-of_1756488.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/james-madison-373_christian-religion_we-maintain-therefore-that-in-matters-of_1756488.jpg) > ““We maintain therefore that in matters of Religion, no man’s right is abridged by the institution of Civil Society, and that Religion is wholly exempt from its cognizance . True it is, that no other rule exists, by which any question which may divide a Society, can be ultimately determined, but the will of the majority; but it is also true, that the majority may trespass on the rights of the minority. ...Because it is proper to take alarm at the first experiment on our liberties. We hold this prudent jealousy to be the first duty of Citizens, and one of the noblest characteristics of the late Revolution. The free men of America did not wait till usurped power had strengthened itself by exercise, and entangled the question in precedents. They saw all the consequences in the principle, and they avoided the consequences by denying the principle. We revere this lesson too much soon to forget it. Who does not see that the same authority which can establish Christianity, in exclusion of all other Religions, may establish with the same ease any particular sect of Christians, in exclusion of all other Sects? that the same authority which can force a citizen to contribute three pence only of his property for the support of any one establishment, may force him to conform to any other establishment in all cases whatsoever ? ...Because experience witnesseth that ecclesiastical establishments, instead of maintaining the purity and efficacy of Religion, have had a contrary operation. During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What have been its fruits? More or less in all places, pride and indolence in the Clergy, ignorance and servility in the laity, in both, superstition, bigotry and persecution . ...What influence in fact have ecclesiastical establishments had on Civil Society? In some instances they have been seen to erect a spiritual tyranny on the ruins of the Civil authority; in many instances they have been seen upholding the thrones of political tyranny: in no instance have they been seen the guardians of the liberties of the people. Rulers who wished to subvert the public liberty, may have found an established Clergy convenient auxiliaries. A just Government instituted to secure & perpetuate it needs them not . Such a Government will be best supported by protecting every Citizen in the enjoyment of his Religion with the same equal hand which protects his person and his property; by neither invading the equal rights of any Sect, nor suffering any Sect to invade those of another. \[ Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments, 20 June 1785. This was written in response to a proposed bill that would establish 'teachers of the Christian religion', violating the 1st Amendment's establishment clause \]”” [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Civil societies must protect religious freedom, preventing majority rule from infringing minority rights, and avoid state‑controlled religion. **In simple terms:** Protect religious liberty from majority oppression. Key Takeaway Guard religious freedom against majority tyranny. Themes religion rights politics Mood cautious determined Type political philosophical When to use this quote - legislative debates - court cases - public policy discussions Key Concepts civil liberty separation of church and state Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards best prevent religious tyranny? - How should citizens respond when majority threatens minority rights? A Different Perspective Majorities can still suppress minorities despite safeguards. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christian religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-religion/) [Civil society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-society/) [Equal rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equal-rights/) [Liberty Established](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty-established-803692/) [Public Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-liberty-376319/) [Religion Wholly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion-wholly-1653048/) [Religions Establish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religions-establish-1653047/) [Rights Sect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights-sect-1653049/) ## Related quotes > [We maintain therefore that in matters of Religion, no man's right is abridged by the institution of Civil Society, and that Religion is wholly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/we-maintain-therefore-that-in-matters-of-religion-no-man-s-right-is-2/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [Before any man can be considered as a member of Civil Society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governour of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/before-any-man-can-be-considered-as-a-member-of-civil-society-he-must-2/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/liberty-cannot-be-established-without-morality-nor-morality-without/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [Though liberty is established by law, we must be vigilant, for liberty to enslave us is always present under that very liberty. 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Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/guard-with-jealous-attention-the-public-liberty-suspect-everyone-who/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) ## More by James Madison > [“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives. A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/knowledge-will-forever-govern-ignorance-and-a-people-who-mean-to-be/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [Rulers who wished to subvert the public liberty, may have found an established Clergy convenient auxiliaries. 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True it is, that no other rule exists, by which any question which may divide a Society, can be ultimately determined, but the will of the majority; but it is also true, that the majority may trespass on the rights of the minority. ...Because it is proper to take alarm at the first experiment on our liberties. We hold this prudent jealousy to be the first duty of Citizens, and one of the noblest characteristics of the late Revolution. The free men of America did not wait till usurped power had strengthened itself by exercise, and entangled the question in precedents. They saw all the consequences in the principle, and they avoided the consequences by denying the principle. We revere this lesson too much soon to forget it. Who does not see that the same authority which can establish Christianity, in exclusion of all other Religions, may establish with the same ease any particular sect of Christians, in exclusion of all other Sects? that the same authority which can force a citizen to contribute three pence only of his property for the support of any one establishment, may force him to conform to any other establishment in all cases whatsoever ? ...Because experience witnesseth that ecclesiastical establishments, instead of maintaining the purity and efficacy of Religion, have had a contrary operation. During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What have been its fruits? More or less in all places, pride and indolence in the Clergy, ignorance and servility in the laity, in both, superstition, bigotry and persecution . ...What influence in fact have ecclesiastical establishments had on Civil Society? In some instances they have been seen to erect a spiritual tyranny on the ruins of the Civil authority; in many instances they have been seen upholding the thrones of political tyranny: in no instance have they been seen the guardians of the liberties of the people. Rulers who wished to subvert the public liberty, may have found an established Clergy convenient auxiliaries. A just Government instituted to secure & perpetuate it needs them not . Such a Government will be best supported by protecting every Citizen in the enjoyment of his Religion with the same equal hand which protects his person and his property; by neither invading the equal rights of any Sect, nor suffering any Sect to invade those of another. [ Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments, 20 June 1785. 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