--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If saying that religion should be a…" description: "\"If saying that religion should be a private matter and should not have special influence in public life is illiberal, then 74% of U.K. Christians are i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db8/richard-dawkins-115_christianity_if-saying-that-religion-should-be-a-priv_517991.jpg" --- # If saying that religion should be a private matter and… ![“If saying that religion should be a private matter and should not have special influence in public life is illiberal, then 74% of U.K. Christians are illiberal, too.” quote by Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db8/richard-dawkins-115_christianity_if-saying-that-religion-should-be-a-priv_517991.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db8/richard-dawkins-115_christianity_if-saying-that-religion-should-be-a-priv_517991.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db8/richard-dawkins-115_christianity_if-saying-that-religion-should-be-a-priv_517991.jpg) > “If saying that religion should be a private matter and should not have special influence in public life is illiberal, then 74% of U.K. Christians are illiberal, too.” [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Argues that claiming religious neutrality is illiberal because most UK Christians support religious influence. **In simple terms:** Points out inconsistency in labeling religious neutrality as illiberal. Key Takeaway Recognize bias in arguments about religion and policy. Themes politics religion logic Mood critical analytical Type political philosophical When to use this quote - parliamentary debate - op‑ed writing - academic discussion Key Concepts secularism public policy bias Questions to Reflect On - Is it fair to equate personal belief with policy stance? - How can we discuss religion in public life without labeling? A Different Perspective Oversimplifies complex public opinion dynamics. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Public life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-life/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [What is illiberal is not persuasion but imposition of one's views.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/what-is-illiberal-is-not-persuasion-but-imposition-of-one-s-views/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [“Being bigheaded can be as irritating and as dangerous as being small-minded.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/being-bigheaded-can-be-as-irritating-and-as-dangerous-as-being-small/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [“I’m not going to support any legislation that I would regard as socially illiberal, or taking this country backwards.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-vaizey/i-m-not-going-to-support-any-legislation-that-i-would-regard-as/) Ed Vaizey > [In my mind, there is nothing so illiberal, and so ill-bred, as audible laughter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-my-mind-there-is-nothing-so-illiberal-and-so-ill-bred-as-audible/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Thus it often is, that the constant friction of illiberal minds wears out at last the best resolves of the more generous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/thus-it-often-is-that-the-constant-friction-of-illiberal-minds-wears/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“freedom of religion has both private and public dimensions. 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