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A genuinely democratic society requires a secular ethos: one that does not equate morality with religion, stigmatize atheists, defer to religious interests and aims over others or make religious belief an informal qualification for public office. Of course, secularism in the latter sense is not mandated by the First Amendment. It's a matter of sensibility, not law.

Ellen Willis#17

PoliticsMoralityDemocracySecularismReligion

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About this quote

What does it mean?
A democratic society needs a secular ethos that separates morality from religion and does not make religious belief a qualification for public office.
In plain terms
Democracy requires a secular culture where religion does not define morality or office eligibility.
What can you take from it?
Separate religious belief from public office qualifications.

Where it applies

  • voting
  • policy making
  • community leadership

Putting it to work

  • Vote for secular candidates
  • Support church-state separation

Questions to consider

  • Should religious belief disqualify candidates?
  • Is secularism required for democracy?

Another view

Faith-based communities contribute valuable moral perspectives to society.

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