--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We in the United States, above all, must…" description: "\"We in the United States, above all, must remember that lesson, for we were founded as a nation of openness to people of all beliefs. And so we must rem..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eda/ronald-reagan-119_atheism_we-in-the-united-states-above-all-must-r_2720943.jpg" --- # We in the United States, above all, must remember that… ![“We in the United States, above all, must remember that lesson, for we were founded as a nation of openness to people of all beliefs. And so we must remain. Our very unity has been strengthened by our pluralism. We establish no religion in this country, we command no worship, we mandate no belief…” quote by Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eda/ronald-reagan-119_atheism_we-in-the-united-states-above-all-must-r_2720943.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eda/ronald-reagan-119_atheism_we-in-the-united-states-above-all-must-r_2720943.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eda/ronald-reagan-119_atheism_we-in-the-united-states-above-all-must-r_2720943.jpg) > “We in the United States, above all, must remember that lesson, for we were founded as a nation of openness to people of all beliefs. And so we must remain. Our very unity has been strengthened by our pluralism. We establish no religion in this country, we command no worship, we mandate no belief, nor will we ever. Church and state are, and must remain, separate. All are free to believe or not believe, all are free to practice a faith or not, and those who believe are free, and should be free, to speak of and act on their belief.” [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The United States was founded on religious liberty and pluralism, and must keep government and religion separate to protect freedom for all beliefs. **In simple terms:** America values religious freedom and separation of church and state. Key Takeaway Guard and uphold separation of church and state. Themes freedom pluralism religious liberty government citizen rights Mood reflective hopeful determined Type political constitutional inspirational When to use this quote - public policy debates - educational curricula - interfaith dialogues - legislative drafting - community organizing Key Concepts secularism tolerance constitutional law Questions to Reflect On - How can we protect religious freedom while respecting cultural traditions? - What policies best maintain church‑state separation today? A Different Perspective Balancing pluralism with rising religious nationalism can be challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church/) [Church and state](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church-and-state/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Lessons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lessons/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Openness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/openness/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Pluralism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pluralism/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Separation of church and state](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separation-of-church-and-state/) [United states](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/united-states/) [Unity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unity/) [Worship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worship/) ## Related quotes > [We establish no religion in this country. We command no worship. We mandate no belief, nor will we ever. Church and state are and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/we-establish-no-religion-in-this-country-we-command-no-worship-we-2/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Church and state are, and must remain, separate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/church-and-state-are-and-must-remain-separate/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Canada has for many years been a beacon to the rest of the world for its commitment to pluralism and for its support for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aga-khan-iv/canada-has-for-many-years-been-a-beacon-to-the-rest-of-the-world-for/) [Aga Khan IV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aga-khan-iv/) > [The secular state is the guarantee of religious pluralism. This apparent paradox, again, is the simplest and most elegant of political truths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/the-secular-state-is-the-guarantee-of-religious-pluralism-this/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [What we pluralists have to do is to say to the people standing on the faith line, particularly the young ones, no, pluralism is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eboo-patel/what-we-pluralists-have-to-do-is-to-say-to-the-people-standing-on-the/) [Eboo Patel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eboo-patel/) > [We are engaged in a social, political, and cultural war. There's a lot of talk in America about pluralism. But the bottom line is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-bauer/we-are-engaged-in-a-social-political-and-cultural-war-there-s-a-lot/) [Gary Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-bauer/) > [Pluralism is no longer simply an asset or a prerequisite for progress and development; it is vital to our existence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aga-khan-iv/pluralism-is-no-longer-simply-an-asset-or-a-prerequisite-for-progress/) [Aga Khan IV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aga-khan-iv/) > [Religion is important for humanity, but it should evolve with humanity. The first priority is to establish and develop the principle of pluralism in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/religion-is-important-for-humanity-but-it-should-evolve-with-humanity/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [America treasures the relationship we have with our many Muslim friends, and we respect the vibrant faith of Islam which inspires countless individuals to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/america-treasures-the-relationship-we-have-with-our-many-muslim/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [ When I came here \[to Malaysia\] I heard that there is a problem with the concept of pluralism whereby pluralism is understood in a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/when-i-came-here-to-malaysia-i-heard-that-there-is-a-problem-with-the/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [Pluralism is denied logically; inclusivism is denied scripturally, and that leaves us with exclusivism... you have to know that Jesus died and believe in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-geisler/pluralism-is-denied-logically-inclusivism-is-denied-scripturally-and/) [Norman Geisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-geisler/) > [The self identity of Man is transcultural, and thus cannot have any single point of reference. Pluralism is not synonymous with tolerance of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raimon-panikkar/the-self-identity-of-man-is-transcultural-and-thus-cannot-have-any/) [Raimon Panikkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raimon-panikkar/) > [We need the value and the beauty of democracy, and the beauty of pluralism is there's a free exchange of ideas. Nobody is right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/we-need-the-value-and-the-beauty-of-democracy-and-the-beauty-of/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [Religious pluralism is neither mere coexistence nor forced consensus. It is a form of proactive cooperation that affirms the identity of the constituent communities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eboo-patel/religious-pluralism-is-neither-mere-coexistence-nor-forced-consensus/) [Eboo Patel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eboo-patel/) > [It is very important to understand that pluralism is part of our system. We don't all think the same thing and part of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dobson/it-is-very-important-to-understand-that-pluralism-is-part-of-our/) [James Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dobson/) ## More by Ronald Reagan > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [I've long believed one of the mainsprings of our own liberty has been the widespread ownership of property among our people and the expectation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-ve-long-believed-one-of-the-mainsprings-of-our-own-liberty-has-been/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [You know, by the time you reach my age, you've made plenty of mistakes if you've lived your life properly. So you learn. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/you-know-by-the-time-you-reach-my-age-you-ve-made-plenty-of-mistakes/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Yes, across Europe, this wall will fall. For it cannot withstand faith; it cannot withstand truth. The wall cannot withstand freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/yes-across-europe-this-wall-will-fall-for-it-cannot-withstand-faith/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Simple fairness dictates that government must not raise taxes on families struggling to pay their bills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/simple-fairness-dictates-that-government-must-not-raise-taxes-on/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The time has come to turn to God and reassert our trust in Him for the healing of America - our country is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/the-time-has-come-to-turn-to-god-and-reassert-our-trust-in-him-for/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Professional politicians like to talk about the value of experience in government. Nuts! The only experience you gain in politics is how to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/professional-politicians-like-to-talk-about-the-value-of-experience/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The WPA was one of the most productive elements of FDR's alphabet soup of agencies because it put people to work building roads, bridges,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/the-wpa-was-one-of-the-most-productive-elements-of-fdr-s-alphabet/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Where there's liberty, art succeeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/where-there-s-liberty-art-succeeds/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Since I came to the White House, I got two hearing aids, a colon operation, skin cancer, a prostate operation, and I was shot.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/since-i-came-to-the-white-house-i-got-two-hearing-aids-a-colon/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [A moment I've been dreading. George brought his ne're-do-well son around this morning and asked me to find the kid a job. Not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/a-moment-i-ve-been-dreading-george-brought-his-ne-re-do-well-son/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [On Father's Day, we pay tribute to all in our society who have taken on the responsibilitie s and joys of fatherhood. Whether our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/on-father-s-day-we-pay-tribute-to-all-in-our-society-who-have-taken/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/there-is-no-limit-to-the-amount-of-good-you-can-do-if-you-don-t-care/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [It's not that liberals aren't smart, it's just that so much of what they know isn't so](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/it-s-not-that-liberals-aren-t-smart-it-s-just-that-so-much-of-what/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Love your country, not for her power or wealth, but for her selflessness and her idealism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/love-your-country-not-for-her-power-or-wealth-but-for-her/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) [Explore all 1,244 Ronald Reagan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) ## More Atheism quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [No philosophy, no religion, has ever brought so glad a message to the world as this good news of Atheism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-besant/no-philosophy-no-religion-has-ever-brought-so-glad-a-message-to-the/) [Annie Besant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-besant/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [God speaks through me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/god-speaks-through-me/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [You cannot ... transmute some incoherent mixture of words into sense merely by introducing the three-letter word "God" to be its grammatical subject.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-flew/you-cannot-transmute-some-incoherent-mixture-of-words-into-sense/) [Antony Flew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-flew/) > [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/) [Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/) > [If, with all the time at my disposal, with all the wealth of the resources of this vast universe, to do with as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/if-with-all-the-time-at-my-disposal-with-all-the-wealth-of-the/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [Do you think that was kind? Do you think it was godlike? What would you think of a physician, if a woman came to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-h-gardener/do-you-think-that-was-kind-do-you-think-it-was-godlike-what-would-you/) [Helen H. Gardener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-h-gardener/) > [Science can destroy religion by ignoring it as well as by disproving its tenets. No one ever demonstrated, so far as I am aware,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-c-clarke/science-can-destroy-religion-by-ignoring-it-as-well-as-by-disproving/) [Arthur C. Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-c-clarke/) > [Honest investigation is utterly impossible within the pale of any church, for the reason, that if you think the church is right you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/honest-investigation-is-utterly-impossible-within-the-pale-of-any/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) [Browse all 4,769 Atheism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We in the United States, above all, must remember that lesson, for we were founded as a nation of openness to people of all beliefs. And so we must remain. Our very unity has been strengthened by our pluralism. We establish no religion in this country, we command no worship, we mandate no belief, nor will we ever. Church and state are, and must remain, separate. 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