--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [The Drafters of the Constitution] were…" description: "\"[The Drafters of the Constitution] were intent on avoiding more than 100 years of religious intolerance and persecution in American colonial history an..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/257/john-m-swomley-49727_avoiding_the-drafters-of-the-constitution-were-in_3029233.jpg" --- # \[The Drafters of the Constitution\] were intent on avoiding… ![“[The Drafters of the Constitution] were intent on avoiding more than 100 years of religious intolerance and persecution in American colonial history and an even longer heritage of church-state problems in Europe.” quote by John M Swomley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/257/john-m-swomley-49727_avoiding_the-drafters-of-the-constitution-were-in_3029233.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/257/john-m-swomley-49727_avoiding_the-drafters-of-the-constitution-were-in_3029233.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/257/john-m-swomley-49727_avoiding_the-drafters-of-the-constitution-were-in_3029233.jpg) > “\[The Drafters of the Constitution\] were intent on avoiding more than 100 years of religious intolerance and persecution in American colonial history and an even longer heritage of church-state problems in Europe.” [John M Swomley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-m-swomley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The framers aimed to prevent centuries of religious conflict by separating church and state. **In simple terms:** They wanted to avoid religious oppression. Key Takeaway Support religious freedom and separation of church and state. Themes religious liberty government history Mood reflective serious Type historical political When to use this quote - legal drafting - public policy - education - interfaith dialogue Key Concepts separation of church and state tolerance constitutional design Questions to Reflect On - How can modern societies maintain this separation? - What challenges arise in pluralistic nations? A Different Perspective Balancing diverse beliefs can be politically complex. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Avoiding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/avoiding/) [Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church/) [Church and state](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church-and-state/) [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Constitution Intent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution-intent-4776360/) [Drafters Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drafters-constitution-4940763/) [Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe/) [Heritage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heritage/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Intolerance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intolerance/) [Intolerance Persecution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intolerance-persecution-2227903/) [Persecution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persecution/) [Persecution American](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persecution-american-4940762/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Religious intolerance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious-intolerance/) [Separation between church and state](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separation-between-church-and-state/) [Separation of church and state](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separation-of-church-and-state/) [States](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/states/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) ## Related quotes > [I believe that the Framers of the Constitution made their intent clear when they wrote the First Amendment. I believe they wanted to keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-rahall/i-believe-that-the-framers-of-the-constitution-made-their-intent/) [Nick Rahall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-rahall/) > [I believe in an America where religious intolerance will someday end... where every man has the same right to attend or not attend the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/i-believe-in-an-america-where-religious-intolerance-will-someday-end/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [Finally, I believe in an America where religious intolerance will someday end; where all men and all churches are treated as equal; where every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/finally-i-believe-in-an-america-where-religious-intolerance-will/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [“Yet another proof that the drafters of the Constitution had made one simple but far-reaching error. They’d assumed that the people selected by The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-clancy/yet-another-proof-that-the-drafters-of-the-constitution-had-made-one/) [Tom Clancy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-clancy/) > [“As noted, late in their deliberations the drafters of the Constitution included a clause prohibiting religious tests or prerequisites for holding any federal office.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-k-green/as-noted-late-in-their-deliberations-the-drafters-of-the-constitution/) [Steven K. Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-k-green/) > [“We should therefore claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to tolerate the intolerant. We should claim that any movement preaching intolerance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-should-therefore-claim-in-the-name-of-tolerance-the-right-not-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-r-popper/unlimited-tolerance-must-lead-to-the-disappearance-of-tolerance-if-we-2/) [Karl R. Popper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-r-popper/) > [Fanaticism is the child of false zeal and of superstition, the father of intolerance and of persecution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-william-fletcher/fanaticism-is-the-child-of-false-zeal-and-of-superstition-the-father/) [John William Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-william-fletcher/) > [“Vast populations in parasitic hot zones are without hospitals, doctors, drugs, or surgical equipment. Meanwhile, often directed at the very same underserved regions, wealthy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-mcauliffe/vast-populations-in-parasitic-hot-zones-are-without-hospitals-doctors/) [Kathleen McAuliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-mcauliffe/) > [Let us, then, fellow citizens, unite with one heart and one mind. Let us restore to social intercourse that harmony and affection without which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/let-us-then-fellow-citizens-unite-with-one-heart-and-one-mind-let-us/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I want you to just let a wave of intolerance wash over you. I want you to let a wave of hatred wash over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randall-terry/i-want-you-to-just-let-a-wave-of-intolerance-wash-over-you-i-want-you/) [Randall Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randall-terry/) > [Solving the population problem is not going to solve the problems of racism, of sexism, of religious intolerance, of war, of gross economic inequality.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-r-ehrlich/solving-the-population-problem-is-not-going-to-solve-the-problems-of/) [Paul R. Ehrlich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-r-ehrlich/) > [Christians have oppressed Jews, Moslems, Buddhists, Pagans, and each other throughout their centuries of power, preaching religious intolerance as the word of Jehovah whenever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-bonewits/christians-have-oppressed-jews-moslems-buddhists-pagans-and-each/) [Isaac Bonewits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-bonewits/) > [As a species we're fundamentally insane. Put more than two of us in a room, we pick sides and start dreaming up reasons to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/as-a-species-we-re-fundamentally-insane-put-more-than-two-of-us-in-a/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [the Republicans love to say that the Democratic Party is ruled by 'special interests.' But when pressed to name these 'special interests,' the usual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-ferraro/the-republicans-love-to-say-that-the-democratic-party-is-ruled-by/) [Geraldine Ferraro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-ferraro/) ## More by John M Swomley > [Since separation precludes financial support or special privilege from government, the churches are free to engage in prophetic criticism of the government and to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-m-swomley/since-separation-precludes-financial-support-or-special-privilege/) [John M Swomley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-m-swomley/) > [This book is not a polemic treatise but a powerful, well-researched account that sensitizes any reader to the ways in which in-difference permits brutality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-m-swomley/this-book-is-not-a-polemic-treatise-but-a-powerful-well-researched/) [John M Swomley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-m-swomley/) > [Government sponsorship of religious activity, including prayer services, sacred symbols, religious festivals, and the like, tends to secularize the religious activity rather than make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-m-swomley/government-sponsorship-of-religious-activity-including-prayer/) [John M Swomley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-m-swomley/) > [By operating independently of government aid, the churches . . . avoid the resentment of those who do not want to be forced to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-m-swomley/by-operating-independently-of-government-aid-the-churches-avoid-the/) [John M Swomley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-m-swomley/) > [Separation prevents the government from determining church policy, whether directly or indirectly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-m-swomley/separation-prevents-the-government-from-determining-church-policy/) [John M Swomley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-m-swomley/) > [Churches are healthier and stronger if they assume responsibility both for financing their own programs and for stimulating their members to accept that responsibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-m-swomley/churches-are-healthier-and-stronger-if-they-assume-responsibility/) [John M Swomley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-m-swomley/) [Explore all 7 John M Swomley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-m-swomley/) ## More Avoiding quotes > [Because after you've crossed some lines, you just keep crossing them. And there's no escaping from constant escape. Distracting ourselves. Avoiding confrontation. Getting past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/because-after-you-ve-crossed-some-lines-you-just-keep-crossing-them/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“Exactly. So, what can't you take? Decide which of the two options is harder, and do the other. That way, no matter how hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine-angelini/exactly-so-what-can-t-you-take-decide-which-of-the-two-options-is/) [Josephine Angelini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine-angelini/) > [I've always been a very restless person. I work hard, spend too much time looking after my son, I dance like a mad thing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/i-ve-always-been-a-very-restless-person-i-work-hard-spend-too-much/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [“What I'm trying to say is that I spent the last four months learning to be alone, avoiding the world, hating pretty much anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-cremer/what-i-m-trying-to-say-is-that-i-spent-the-last-four-months-learning/) [Andrea Cremer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-cremer/) > [ I can hardly believe what these 12 caricatures \[about Prophet Muhammad\] have caused in the world. We Danes feel like we have been placed… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anders-fogh-rasmussen/i-can-hardly-believe-what-these-12-caricatures-about-prophet-muhammad/) [Anders Fogh Rasmussen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anders-fogh-rasmussen/) > [I know a bit about taxation and the remarkable effort that goes in to avoiding it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-rinder/i-know-a-bit-about-taxation-and-the-remarkable-effort-that-goes-in-to/) [Robert Rinder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-rinder/) > [When you are in hard labor, remember that the length of labor is usually proportional to the number of people around. Avoid the presence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-odent/when-you-are-in-hard-labor-remember-that-the-length-of-labor-is/) [Michel Odent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-odent/) > [I don't believe in happy endings. Children have got to face death sooner or later. Granny and Grandpa die, dogs die, cats die, gerbils…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-briggs/i-don-t-believe-in-happy-endings-children-have-got-to-face-death/) [Raymond Briggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-briggs/) > [Resisting and avoiding pain sucks energy-and time. The more you let yourself feel those minute-and-a-half hells, the quicker you'll start feeling those minute-and-a-half happinesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-newman/resisting-and-avoiding-pain-sucks-energy-and-time-the-more-you-let/) [Leigh Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-newman/) > [Reading is sometimes an ingenious device for avoiding thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-helps/reading-is-sometimes-an-ingenious-device-for-avoiding-thought/) [Arthur Helps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-helps/) > [A day can really slip by when you're deliberately avoiding what you're supposed to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-watterson/a-day-can-really-slip-by-when-you-re-deliberately-avoiding-what-you/) [Bill Watterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-watterson/) > [When someone starts Ignoring you, just back off without staying there with them Just to know the reason for avoiding..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vishak/when-someone-starts-ignoring-you-just-back-off-without-staying-there/) [Vishak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vishak/) > [You know what takes effort? Being kind, being patient, being respectful, telling someone how you feel politely instead of just avoiding them for six…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-tapper/you-know-what-takes-effort-being-kind-being-patient-being-respectful/) [Jake Tapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-tapper/) > [It's all about being flexible, and avoiding choices whenever possible. Choices suck, they are inherently limiting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-armstrong/it-s-all-about-being-flexible-and-avoiding-choices-whenever-possible/) [Craig Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-armstrong/) > [In my personal life I'm very conservative. I've been married to the same person for nearly 50 years, I'm scrupulous about paying bills, avoiding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-walken/in-my-personal-life-i-m-very-conservative-i-ve-been-married-to-the/) [Christopher Walken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-walken/) [Browse all 713 Avoiding quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/avoiding/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "[The Drafters of the Constitution] were intent on avoiding more than 100 years of religious intolerance and persecution in American colonial history and an even longer heritage of church-state problems in Europe.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John M Swomley" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-m-swomley/the-drafters-of-the-constitution-were-intent-on-avoiding-more-than/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Avoiding" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-m-swomley/the-drafters-of-the-constitution-were-intent-on-avoiding-more-than/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/257/john-m-swomley-49727_avoiding_the-drafters-of-the-constitution-were-in_3029233.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/257/john-m-swomley-49727_avoiding_the-drafters-of-the-constitution-were-in_3029233.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/257/john-m-swomley-49727_avoiding_the-drafters-of-the-constitution-were-in_3029233.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“[The Drafters of the Constitution] were intent on avoiding more than 100 years of religious intolerance and…” — John M Swomley", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John M Swomley", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-m-swomley/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "[The Drafters of the Constitution] were...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-m-swomley/the-drafters-of-the-constitution-were-intent-on-avoiding-more-than/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-m-swomley/the-drafters-of-the-constitution-were-intent-on-avoiding-more-than/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```