Here are some of the most notable quotes on religious freedom from historical figures, leaders, and thinkers:

Thomas Jefferson – “Among the most inestimable of our blessings is that of liberty to worship our Creator in the way we think most agreeable to His will; a liberty deemed in other countries incompatible with good government and yet proved by our experience to be its best support.”  – Thomas Jefferson: Reply to John Thomas (1807)

George Washington – “Every man, conducting himself as a good citizen, and being accountable to God alone for his religious opinions, ought to be protected in worshipping the Deity according to the dictates of his own conscience.”  – Letter from George Washington to United Baptist Churches in Virginia (1789)

James Madison – “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”  – This clause is part of the First Amendment, ratified on December 15, 1791, as a cornerstone of the Bill of Rights

John Quincy Adams – “Civil liberty can be established on no foundation of human reason which will not at the same time demonstrate the right of religious freedom.” – 6th US President Letter, 1823

Abraham Lincoln – “The Bible says somewhere that we are desperately selfish. I think we would have discovered that fact without reading the Bible.” – The Life and Public Services of Hon. Abraham Lincoln (1860)

Franklin D. Roosevelt – “Where freedom of religion has been attacked, the attack has come from sources opposed to democracy.” – Annual Message to Congress (1939)

Robert F. Kennedy – “America’s answer to the intolerant man is diversity — the very diversity which our heritage of religious freedom has inspired.” – Remarks at JFK Interfaith Chapel Dedication (1964)

Martin Luther King Jr. – “The hope of the world is still in dedicated minorities. The trail-blazers in human, scientific and religious freedom have always been in a minority.” – Where do we go from here: Chaos or community? (1967)

Raif Badawi – “States that are built on a religious foundation limit their own people in a circle of faith and fear.” – 1000 Lashes: Because I Say What I Think

Barack Obama – “The principle that people of all faiths are welcome in this country, and will not be treated differently by their government, is essential to who we are.” – Remarks supporting the construction of a mosque and community center near Ground Zero in New York City. (2010)

George Carlin – “Religion is like a pair of shoes… Find one that fits for you, but don’t make me wear It.” – Carlin originally used the metaphor in his 1970s comedy routines

Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.

Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the United States and the Bey and Subjects of Tripoli of Barbary. Drafted by Joel Barlow,  Washington’s consul to Algiers, and ratified by a unanimous vote of the U.S. Senate on June 7th, 1797.  Signed by President John Adams, June 10th 1797

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