For while this year it may be a Catholic against whom the finger of suspicion is pointed, in other years it has been, and may someday be again, a Jew— or a Quaker or a Unitarian or a Baptist. It was Virginia's harassment of Baptist preachers, for example, that helped lead to Jefferson's statute of religious freedom. Today I may be the victim, but tomorrow it may be you — until the whole fabric of our harmonious society is ripped at a time of great national peril.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of religious freedom and warns against targeting any specific group, as persecution can shift to anyone.
John F. Kennedy's quote highlights the cyclical nature of persecution based on religious identity, reminding us that anyone can be a target at any time. He advocates for the protection of religious freedom for all, as it is fundamental to maintaining societal harmony and preventing division during challenging times, reinforcing that today's victimization could easily become tomorrow's norm for others.
In practice
This quote can be used in discussions about the importance of protecting minority rights in a diverse society.
The great battleground for the defense and expansion of freedom today is the whole southern half of the globe... the lands of the rising peoples. Their revolution is the greatest in human history. They seek an end to injustice, tyranny and exploitation. More than an end, they seek a beginning.
I had always enjoyed the title of Commander-in-Chief until I was informed ... that the only forces that cannot be transferred from Washington without my express permission are the members of the Marine Corps Band. Those are the only forces I have. I want it announced that we propose to hold the White House against all odds at least for some time to come.
I am talking about genuine peace, the kind of peace that makes life on earth worth living, the kind that enables men and nations to grow and to hope and to build a better life for their children - not merely peace for Americans but peace for all men and women - not merely peace in our time but peace for all time.
I just received the following wire from my generous Daddy; Dear Jack, Don't buy a single vote more than is necessary. I'll be damned if I'm going to pay for a landslide.
Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one's own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others.
Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind.
The orgasm has replaced the Cross as the focus of longing and the image of fulfillment.
In what way can a man believing in God cease believing due to his personal vanity? There are only two ways. The man should either begin to think himself a rival of God, or he may begin to believe himself to be God.
The self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous formation through choice of action.
The young know how truly difficult and dreadful youth can be. Their youth is wasted on everyone else, that's the horror. The young have no authority, no respect.
Things we lose have a way of coming back to us in the end, if not always in the way we expect.
The sun, the moon and the stars would have disappeared long ago... had they happened to be within the reach of predatory human hands.
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