Zombie Politics

“Congress has no power to make any religious establishments.” ~Roger Sherman, Congress, August 19, 1789

“God has appointed two kinds of government in the world, which are distinct in their nature, and ought never to be confounded together; one ...

“Persecution is not an original feature in any religion; but it is always the strongly marked feature of all religions established by law. T...

“Some very worthy persons, who have not had great advantages for information, have objected against that clause in the constitution which pr...

“Knowledge and liberty are so prevalent in this country, that I do not believe that the United States would ever be disposed to establish on...

“No religious doctrine shall be established by law.” ~ Elbridge Gerry , Annals of Congress 1:729-731

"A general toleration of Religion appears to me the best means of peopling our country… The free exercise of religion hath stocked the ...

“I never liked the Hierarchy of the Church — an equality in the teacher of Religion, and a dependence on the people, are republican sentimen...

“A man of abilities and character, of any sect whatever, may be admitted to any office or public trust under the United States. I am a frien...

“It is contrary to the principles of reason and justice that any should be compelled to contribute to the maintenance of a church with which...

“That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, no...

“In regard to religion, mutual toleration in the different professions thereof is what all good and candid minds in all ages have ever pract...

“Manufacturers, who listening to the powerful invitations of a better price for their fabrics, or their labor, of greater cheapness of provi...

“When a religion is good, I conceive it will support itself; and when it does not support itself, and God does not take care to support it s...

“It is only when the people become ignorant and corrupt, when they degenerate into a populace, that they are incapable of exercising the sov...

“Strongly guarded as is the separation between Religion and Government in the Constitution of the United States, the danger of encroachment ...

“Every new and successful example of a perfect separation between ecclesiastical and civil matters is of importance.” ~ James Madison , lett...

“And I have no doubt that every new example will succeed, as every past one has done, in showing that religion & Govt will both exist in...

“The civil government functions with complete success by the total separation of the Church from the State.” ~ James Madison , 1819, Writin...