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I acknowledge the Roman Church to be our mother church, although defiled with some infirmities and corruptions...Let [the Papists] assure themselves, that, as I am a friend of their persons, if they be good subjects, so am I a vowed enemy, and do denounce mortal war to their errors.

James I of England#5

Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.

PoliticsReligionDoctrineLoyaltyToleranceUnityWar

About this quote

What does it mean?
The author respects Roman Church members but opposes their errors fiercely.
In plain terms
I respect Roman Church people but fight their errors.
What can you take from it?
Distinguish between respecting people and opposing their ideas.

Where it applies

  • religious debates
  • political alliances
  • church reform

Putting it to work

  • separate people from policies
  • address doctrinal errors

Questions to consider

  • When do you separate people from beliefs?
  • How do you handle disagreement?

Another view

The stance may create division despite claims of friendship.

More from James I of England

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  3. A custom loathsome to the eye, hateful to the nose, harmful to the brain, dangerous to the lungs, and in the black, stinking fume thereof, nearest resembling t…

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