Adoption Quote by Joseph Story
![“At the time of the adoption of the constitution, and of the amendment to it, now under consideration [i.e., the First Amendment], the general, if not the universal sentiment in America was, that Christianity ought to receive encouragement from the state, so far as was not incompatible with the…” quote by Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ef2/joseph-story-11919_adoption_at-the-time-of-the-adoption-of-the-const_282131.jpg)
“At the time of the adoption of the constitution, and of the amendment to it, now under consideration [i.e., the First Amendment], the general, if not the universal sentiment in America was, that Christianity ought to receive encouragement from the state, so far as was not incompatible with the private rights of conscience, and the freedom of religious worship.”
About This Quote
Source Legal Treatise: Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States, 1833
The early U.S. sentiment supported state encouragement of Christianity, provided it didn’t infringe on conscience or worship freedom.
In simple terms: Early America favored Christian support but respected religious freedom.
Key Takeaway
Balance public moral encouragement with individual liberty.
Themes
religion
state
freedom
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
legal
historical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- education
- public funding for churches
- legislative debates
Key Concepts
constitutional law
religious liberty
Questions to Reflect On
- Should the state endorse any religion?
- How to protect conscience rights?
A Different Perspective
Modern pluralism challenges a single religious endorsement.
![“I tell Thee that man is tormented by no greater anxiety than to find someone quickly to whom he can hand over that gift of freedom with which the ill-fated creatures is born. But only one who can appease their conscience can take over their freedom […] Instead of taking men's freedom from them…” quote by Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/320/fyodor-dostoevsky-342_anxiety_i-tell-thee-that-man-is-tormented-by-no_1897284.jpg)
![“[I]t is impossible for those, who believe in the truth of Christianity, as a divine revelation, to doubt, that it is the especial duty of government to foster, and encourage it among all the citizens and subjects. This is a point wholly distinct from that of the right of private judgment in…” quote by Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5c4/joseph-story-11919_believe_i-t-is-impossible-for-those-who-believe_635340.jpg)
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
