Where the preamble declares, that coercion is a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, an amendment was proposed by inserting "Jesus Christ," so that it would read "A departure from the plan of Jesus Christ, the holy author of our religion;" the insertion was rejected by the great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mohammedan, the Hindoo and Infidel of every denomination.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes religious tolerance and the inclusivity of various faiths within a country's foundational principles.
Thomas Jefferson's quote reflects a significant moment in the creation of religious protections in society, highlighting the idea that true religious freedom should encompass all beliefs, not just Christianity. By rejecting the amendment that specified Jesus Christ, the founding fathers demonstrated their commitment to a broader, more inclusive approach that respects individuals of all faiths and backgrounds, fostering harmony and coexistence in a diverse society.
In practice
In a speech promoting community harmony, one might quote Jefferson to highlight the importance of religious tolerance.
The firmness with which the (American) people have withstood the... abuses of the press, the discernment they have manifested between truth and falsehood, show that they may safely be trusted to hear everything true and false and to form a correct judgment between them.
I, place economy among the first & most important republican virtues, & public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared
We must make our choice between economy and liberty or confusion and servitude...If we run into such debts, we must be taxed in our meat and drink, in our necessities and comforts, in our labor and in our amusements...if we can prevent the government from wasting the labor of the people, under the pretense of caring for them, they will be happy.
Very many and very meritorious were the worthy patriots who assisted in bringing back our government to its republican tack. To preserve it in that, will require unremitting vigilance.
A nation, as a society, forms a moral person, and every member of it is personally responsible for his society.
Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.
Drosselmeier had unwittingly exposed himself to an overdose of reality, and it had destroyed his reason.
Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit.
Israel uses sophisticated attack jets and naval vessels to bomb densely-crowded refugee camps, schools, apartment blocks, mosques, and slums to attack a population that has no air force, no air defense, no navy, no heavy weapons, no artillery units, no mechanized armor, no command in control, no army and calls it a war.
The first law of history is to dread uttering a falsehood; the next is not to fear stating the truth; lastly, the historian's writings should be open to no suspicion of partiality or animosity.
To continue living, we have to die. That's the story of humanity - generation after generation - that we are going to die. There's nothing dramatic about death except that one loses one's life.
Can honor's voice provoke the silent dust, or flattery soothe the dull, cold ear of death?
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.