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About this quote

What does it mean?
The state allows religious freedom until religious groups attempt to claim political authority, at which point the state will intervene.
In plain terms
Religious groups can handle their own affairs unless they try to take state power.
What can you take from it?
Religious institutions should not seek political power.

Where it applies

  • state-religion relations
  • constitutional conflicts
  • ecclesiastical politics

Putting it to work

  • identifying overreach in religious-political claims
  • defining boundaries of religious influence

Questions to consider

  • Where is the line between faith and politics?
  • Who defines state rights?

Another view

This can justify state suppression of legitimate religious political activism.

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