--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The government must pursue a course of…" description: "\"The government must pursue a course of complete neutrality toward religion.\" — John Paul Stevens" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e74/john-paul-stevens-12128_government_the-government-must-pursue-a-course-of-c_3100447.jpg" --- # The government must pursue a course of complete neutrality… ![“The government must pursue a course of complete neutrality toward religion.” quote by John Paul Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e74/john-paul-stevens-12128_government_the-government-must-pursue-a-course-of-c_3100447.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e74/john-paul-stevens-12128_government_the-government-must-pursue-a-course-of-c_3100447.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e74/john-paul-stevens-12128_government_the-government-must-pursue-a-course-of-c_3100447.jpg) > “The government must pursue a course of complete neutrality toward religion.” [John Paul Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-paul-stevens/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The state should not favor or discriminate against any religion, maintaining impartiality in public affairs. **In simple terms:** Government should stay neutral on religion. Key Takeaway Ensure policies treat all faiths equally. Themes separation of church and state fairness rights Mood thoughtful serious Type legal political When to use this quote - public schooling - government funding - legislation - judicial decisions Key Concepts neutrality constitutional law pluralism Questions to Reflect On - How can laws stay neutral without ignoring religious influences? - What risks arise when the state intervenes in religion? A Different Perspective Neutrality can be hard when cultural pressures favor a majority faith. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Complete Neutrality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complete-neutrality-5371139/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Government Pursue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government-pursue-5371140/) [Neutrality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neutrality/) [Neutrality Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neutrality-religion-2876322/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Pursue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursue/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [“Government in our democracy, state and national, must be neutral in matters of religious theory, doctrine, and practice. 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I see no reason why if the marriage contract conveys certain things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-believe-people-ought-to-be-treated-fairly-under-the-law-i-see-no/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [To go back to a 1950s voice mentality with Title II and net neutrality would be a tremendous mistake for our country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-t-chambers/to-go-back-to-a-1950s-voice-mentality-with-title-ii-and-net/) [John T. Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-t-chambers/) ## More by John Paul Stevens > [When the commission finds that a pig has entered the parlor, the exercise of its regulatory power does not depend on proof that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-paul-stevens/when-the-commission-finds-that-a-pig-has-entered-the-parlor-the/) [John Paul Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-paul-stevens/) > [The practice of executing such offenders is a relic of the past and is inconsistent with evolving standards of decency in a civilized society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-paul-stevens/the-practice-of-executing-such-offenders-is-a-relic-of-the-past-and/) [John Paul Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-paul-stevens/) > [It is not our job to apply laws that have not yet been written.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-paul-stevens/it-is-not-our-job-to-apply-laws-that-have-not-yet-been-written/) [John Paul Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-paul-stevens/) > [As a matter of constitutional tradition, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we presume that governmental regulation of the content of speech…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-paul-stevens/as-a-matter-of-constitutional-tradition-in-the-absence-of-evidence-to/) [John Paul Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-paul-stevens/) > [I announced my dissent in the Citizens United orally, and I stumbled in my announcement. 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Heller, which recognized an individual right to possess a firearm under the Constitution, is unquestionably the most clearly incorrect decision…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-paul-stevens/district-of-columbia-v-heller-which-recognized-an-individual-right-to/) [John Paul Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-paul-stevens/) > [After all, a district judge who gives harsh sentences to Yankees fans and lenient sentences to Red Sox fans would not be acting reasonably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-paul-stevens/after-all-a-district-judge-who-gives-harsh-sentences-to-yankees-fans/) [John Paul Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-paul-stevens/) > [All I can say is I did the best I could, and I didn't do well enough on many occasions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-paul-stevens/all-i-can-say-is-i-did-the-best-i-could-and-i-didn-t-do-well-enough/) [John Paul Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-paul-stevens/) > [It almost seems I was writing two separate books, the first one about the time before I went on the court and the second…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-paul-stevens/it-almost-seems-i-was-writing-two-separate-books-the-first-one-about/) [John Paul Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-paul-stevens/) > [One thing, however, is certain. 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