I've always said that at the end of the day, on a legal issue, I think a wise old woman and a wise old man are going to reach the same conclusion.
Sandra Day O'ConnorRead
The Establishment Clause prohibits government from making adherence to a religion relevant in any way to a person's standing in the political community.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The Establishment Clause ensures that religion does not influence a person's political rights or status.
In this quote, Sandra Day O'Connor emphasizes the importance of the Establishment Clause in maintaining a separation between church and state. This principle safeguards individuals from being judged or discriminated against in the political sphere based on their religious beliefs, promoting a fair and equitable society where one's political standing is not influenced by religious affiliation or practices.
Themes
Establishment ClauseReligionGovernmentPoliticsFreedom
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate about religious displays in government buildings, this quote could be used to highlight the importance of keeping politics and religion separate.
More from Sandra Day O'Connor
All quotes βIn order to cultivate a set of leaders with legitimacy in the eyes of the citizenry, it is necessary that the path to leadership be visibly open to talented and qualified individuals of every race and ethnicity.
Sandra Day O'ConnorRead
In my work a good library is essential. It enables me to learn the background and previous discussions of the various issues I am called upon to decide. It provides the stability and continuity for the rule of law.
Sandra Day O'ConnorRead
The really expert riders of horses let the horse know immediately who is in control, but then they guide the horse with loose reins and very seldom use the spurs. So it was with our chief [William Rehnquist]. He guided us with loose reins and used the spurs only rarely to get us up to speed with our work.
Sandra Day O'ConnorRead
It is difficult to discern a serious threat to religious liberty from a room of silent, thoughtful schoolchildren.
Sandra Day O'ConnorRead
It was better for me when I was joined at the court by a second woman. When I was there alone, there was too much media focus on the one woman, and the minute we got another woman, that changed.
Sandra Day O'ConnorRead
Similar quotes
A long war almost always places nations in this sad alternative: that their defeat delivers them to destruction and their triumph to despotism.
Alexis De TocquevilleRead
...I give you the mausoleum of all hope and desire...I give it to you not that you may remember time, but that you might forget it now and then for a moment and not spend all of your breath trying to conquer it. Because no battle is ever won he said. They are not even fought. The field only reveals to man his own folly and despair, and victory is an illusion of philosophers and fools.
William FaulknerRead
Authority and place demonstrate and try the tempers of men, by moving every passion and discovering every frailty.
PlutarchRead
The basic thing nobody asks is why do people take drugs of any sort? Why do we have these accessories to normal living to live? I mean, is there something wrong with society that's making us so pressurized, that we cannot live without guarding ourselves against it?
John LennonRead
No matter what a woman's appearance may be, it will be used to undermine what she is saying and taken to individualize - as her personal problem - observations she makes about the beauty myth in society.
Naomi WolfRead
It is bad to be oppressed by a minority, but it is worse to be oppressed by a majority. For there is a reserve of latent power in the masses which, if it is called into play, the minority can seldom resist. But from the absolute will of an entire people there is no appeal, no redemption, no refuge but treason.
Lord ActonRead