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That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other.

Patrick Henry#13

FreedomCharityConscienceReligionTolerance

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About this quote

What does it mean?
Religious duty is a matter of personal reason and conviction, not coercion, so all must have free exercise of religion. Everyone has a duty to treat others with Christian forbearance, love, and charity.
In plain terms
Religion is about personal belief, not force, and people should treat each other with kindness.
What can you take from it?
Protect religious freedom and practice kindness toward others.

Where it applies

  • policy making
  • interfaith dialogue
  • community relations

Putting it to work

  • advocate for religious rights
  • practice tolerance
  • promote charity

Questions to consider

  • How do you balance personal conviction with respect for others?
  • What does true religious freedom require?

Another view

The text assumes a Christian framework for forbearance which may not apply universally.

More from Patrick Henry

  1. It is vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, peace! But there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the…

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  2. There is an insidious campaign of false propaganda being waged today, to the effect that our country is not a Christian country but a religious one-that it was…

    Permalink to quote #14

  3. If we wish to be free; if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending; if we mean not basely to abando…

    Permalink to quote #11

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