Atheism Quote by Michael Novak
“Atheists in our midst are proof that all consciences can be accommodated here, even those that have no ground for holding that conscience is sacred, inalienable, and prior to civil society.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Moral Foundations of Civil Society" by Michael Novak, 1995
All moral perspectives can coexist in a society that respects individual conscience, even without sacred foundations.
In simple terms: Conscience can be respected without claiming it sacred.
Key Takeaway
Respect diverse consciences.
Themes
tolerance
ethics
civil society
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
argumentative
When to use this quote
- public policy debates
- educational curricula
- interfaith dialogues
Key Concepts
pluralism
secular morality
Questions to Reflect On
- What limits exist for accommodating all consciences?
- How to protect minority views?
A Different Perspective
Balancing respect with societal cohesion can be challenging.
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![“[T]here are, at bottom, basically two ways to order social affairs, Coercively, through the mechanisms of the state - what we can call political society. And voluntarily, through the private interaction of individuals and associations - what we can call civil society. ... In a civil society, you…” quote by Ed Crane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b8b/ed-crane-39299_affair_t-here-are-at-bottom-basically-two-ways_34431.jpg)
