Church and state Quote by John F. Kennedy
““I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute - where no Catholic prelate would tell the President (should he be Catholic) how to act, and no Protestant minister would tell his parishioners for whom to vote - where no church or church school is granted any public funds or political preference - and where no man is denied public office merely because his religion differs from the President who might appoint him or the people who might elect him. I believe in an America that is officially neither Catholic, Protestant nor Jewish - where no public official either requests or accepts instructions on public policy from the Pope, the National Council of Churches or any other ecclesiastical source - where no religious body seeks to impose its will directly or indirectly upon the general populace or the public acts of its officials - and where religious liberty is so indivisible that an act against one church is treated as an act against all. [Remarks to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association, September 12 1960] ””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Greater Houston Ministerial Association, September 12 1960
Advocates a secular state where government and religion are strictly separate, ensuring equal treatment for all faiths.
In simple terms: Separate church and state for true liberty.
Key Takeaway
Protect religious neutrality in public policy.
Themes
freedom
separation
equality
Mood
political
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- legislation
- public office
- education funding
Key Concepts
secularism
civil rights
Questions to Reflect On
- Can a society maintain neutrality without alienating believers?
- What limits should exist on religious expression in public spaces?
A Different Perspective
Absolute separation may be impractical in culturally religious societies.
![“There is no relationship here between Church and State. Religious liberty has its unalterable place, along with civil and human liberty, in the very foundation of the Republic. I hold it [religious intolerance] to be a menace to the very liberties which we boast and cherish.” quote by Warren G. Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/db9/warren-g-harding-17266_boast_there-is-no-relationship-here-between-ch_940361.jpg)
![“I do not make decisions [as governor] based on what have I learned through my Bible studies, what have I learned in my religious classes in school. I'm a big believer in separation of church and state, and I think that's what . . . the law is.” quote by Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a18/arnold-schwarzenegger-657_believer_i-do-not-make-decisions-as-governor-base_18031.jpg)
