--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The real object of the First Amendment…" description: "\"The real object of the First Amendment was not to countenance, much less advance Mohammedanism, or Judaism or infidelity, by prostrating Christianity; ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb3/joseph-story-11919_amendments_the-real-object-of-the-first-amendment-w_405800.jpg" --- # The real object of the First Amendment was not to… ![“The real object of the First Amendment was not to countenance, much less advance Mohammedanism, or Judaism or infidelity, by prostrating Christianity; but ... to prevent any national ecclesiastical establishment which should give to a hierarchy the exclusive patronage of the national government.” quote by Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb3/joseph-story-11919_amendments_the-real-object-of-the-first-amendment-w_405800.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb3/joseph-story-11919_amendments_the-real-object-of-the-first-amendment-w_405800.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb3/joseph-story-11919_amendments_the-real-object-of-the-first-amendment-w_405800.jpg) > “The real object of the First Amendment was not to countenance, much less advance Mohammedanism, or Judaism or infidelity, by prostrating Christianity; but ... to prevent any national ecclesiastical establishment which should give to a hierarchy the exclusive patronage of the national government.” [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The First Amendment aims to stop government from establishing a national church and favoring any religion, preserving religious freedom. **In simple terms:** It prevents a state-sponsored church. Key Takeaway Guard religious liberty. Themes religion government freedom Mood thoughtful protective Type legal historical When to use this quote - legislative drafting - court rulings - public policy - education curricula Key Concepts separation of church and state constitutional law Questions to Reflect On - How does this principle affect modern religious pluralism? - What challenges arise when government policies intersect with faith? A Different Perspective May overlook minority faiths' needs for equal treatment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amendments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amendments/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Establishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/establishment/) [First amendment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-amendment/) [Freedom of religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-of-religion/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Hierarchy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hierarchy/) [Infidelity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infidelity/) [Judaism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judaism/) [Lawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lawyer/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religion and politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion-and-politics/) ## Related quotes > [We must learn to be self-reliant and independent of schools, courts, protection and patronage of a Government we seek to end, if it will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/we-must-learn-to-be-self-reliant-and-independent-of-schools-courts/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [The truth is, the more kind and liberal a man is, the more generous will be the patronage bestowed upon him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-t-barnum/the-truth-is-the-more-kind-and-liberal-a-man-is-the-more-generous/) [P. T. Barnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-t-barnum/) > [The philosophy behind Patreon is that all the great art we have known has been made because of patronage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-conte/the-philosophy-behind-patreon-is-that-all-the-great-art-we-have-known/) [Jack Conte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-conte/) > [Indeed, it is a kind of quintessence of pride to hate and fear even the kind and legitimate approval of those who love us!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/indeed-it-is-a-kind-of-quintessence-of-pride-to-hate-and-fear-even/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [Maybe the raising of millions of dollars of funds for charitable projects has become 'a racket', and the longer they remain in the test-tube…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-v-libonati/maybe-the-raising-of-millions-of-dollars-of-funds-for-charitable/) Roland V. Libonati > [We give ourselves to prayer. We preach a Gospel that saves to the uttermost, and witness to its power. We do not argue about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-chadwick/we-give-ourselves-to-prayer-we-preach-a-gospel-that-saves-to-the/) [Samuel Chadwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-chadwick/) > [Literary men are being employed to praise a big business man personally, as men used to praise a king. They not only find political…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/literary-men-are-being-employed-to-praise-a-big-business-man/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [I've always felt that any establishment that doesn't welcome me with open arms doesn't deserve my patronage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-plum/i-ve-always-felt-that-any-establishment-that-doesn-t-welcome-me-with/) [Amy Plum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-plum/) > [If a patron buys from an artist who needs money (needs money to buy tools, time, food), the patron then makes himself equal to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-pound/if-a-patron-buys-from-an-artist-who-needs-money-needs-money-to-buy/) [Ezra Pound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-pound/) > [“I used to ask myself, ‘Sergei, would you rather spend your money on drink or women?’ and thanks to the club, I spend it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melika-dannese-lux/i-used-to-ask-myself-sergei-would-you-rather-spend-your-money-on/) [Melika Dannese Lux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melika-dannese-lux/) > [I do not want any patronage, as I do not give any. I am a lover of my own liberty, and so I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-do-not-want-any-patronage-as-i-do-not-give-any-i-am-a-lover-of-my/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [I know so well what becomes of unmarried women who aren't prepared to occupy a position. I've seen such pitiful cases in the South…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/i-know-so-well-what-becomes-of-unmarried-women-who-aren-t-prepared-to/) [Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) > [How is a magician to exist without books? Let someone explain that to me. It is like asking a politician to achieve high office…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-clarke/how-is-a-magician-to-exist-without-books-let-someone-explain-that-to/) [Susanna Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-clarke/) > [Each of the Arts whose office is to refine, purify, adorn, embellish and grace life is under the patronage of a Muse, no god…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliza-farnham/each-of-the-arts-whose-office-is-to-refine-purify-adorn-embellish-and/) Eliza Farnham > [If a book really wants the patronage of a great name, it is a bad book; and if it be a good book, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/if-a-book-really-wants-the-patronage-of-a-great-name-it-is-a-bad-book/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) ## More by Joseph Story > [“One of the surest means of preserving peace is always to be prepared for war.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/one-of-the-surest-means-of-preserving-peace-is-always-to-be-prepared/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [It was under a solemn consciousness of the dangers from ecclesiastical ambition, the bigotry of spiritual pride, and the intolerance of sects... that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/it-was-under-a-solemn-consciousness-of-the-dangers-from/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [This provision (the 4th Amendment) speaks for itself. Its plain object is to secure the perfect enjoyment of that great right of the common…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/this-provision-the-4th-amendment-speaks-for-itself-its-plain-object/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/at-the-time-of-the-adoption-of-the-constitution-and-of-the-amendment/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [Every successive generation becomes a living memorial of our public schools, and a living example of their excellence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/every-successive-generation-becomes-a-living-memorial-of-our-public/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [No man can well doubt the propriety of placing a president of the United States under the most solemn obligations to preserve, protect, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/no-man-can-well-doubt-the-propriety-of-placing-a-president-of-the/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [Be brief, be pointed, let your matter standLucid in order, solid and at hand;Spend not your words on trifles but condense;Strike with the mass…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/be-brief-be-pointed-let-your-matter-standlucid-in-order-solid-and-at/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [There is not a truth to be gathered from history more certain, or more momentous, than this: that civil liberty cannot long be separated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/there-is-not-a-truth-to-be-gathered-from-history-more-certain-or-more/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [It should therefore be difficult in a republic to declare war; but not to make peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/it-should-therefore-be-difficult-in-a-republic-to-declare-war-but-not/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [The state governments have a full superintendence and control over the immense mass of local interests of their respective states, which connect themselves with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/the-state-governments-have-a-full-superintendence-and-control-over/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [ \[I\]t is impossible for those, who believe in the truth of Christianity, as a divine revelation, to doubt, that it is the especial duty… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/i-t-is-impossible-for-those-who-believe-in-the-truth-of-christianity/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/the-powers-not-delegated-to-the-united-states-by-the-constitution-nor/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [Let the American youth never forget, that they possess a noble inheritance, bought by the toils, and sufferings, and blood of their ancestors; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/let-the-american-youth-never-forget-that-they-possess-a-noble/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [Temporary delusions, prejudices, excitements, and objects have irresistible influence in mere questions of policy. And the policy of one age may ill suit the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/temporary-delusions-prejudices-excitements-and-objects-have/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [It is important also to consider, that the surest means of avoiding war is to be prepared for it in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/it-is-important-also-to-consider-that-the-surest-means-of-avoiding/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) [Explore all 57 Joseph Story quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) ## More Amendments quotes > [This separation was absolute in our original Republic. But the sky-godders do not give up easily. 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The Second…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-norris/i-have-a-lot-of-guns-on-my-ranch-i-don-t-use-them-for-hunting-i-m-not/) [Chuck Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-norris/) > [All human situations have their inconveniences. We feel those of the present but neither see nor feel those of the future; and hence we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/all-human-situations-have-their-inconveniences-we-feel-those-of-the/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [If, in the opinion of the people, the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/if-in-the-opinion-of-the-people-the-distribution-or-modification-of/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [The First Amendment exists to protect our religious liberty--to ensure that all Americans are able to seek out worship God with all our hearts,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/the-first-amendment-exists-to-protect-our-religious-liberty-to-ensure/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [Laws that forbid the carrying of arms . . . disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/laws-that-forbid-the-carrying-of-arms-disarm-only-those-who-are/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [As civil rulers, not having their duty to the people duly before them, may attempt to tyrannize,... The people are confirmed by the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tench-coxe/as-civil-rulers-not-having-their-duty-to-the-people-duly-before-them/) [Tench Coxe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tench-coxe/) > [The lessons of the First Amendment are as urgent in the modern world as the 18th Century when it was written. 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