All persons shall have full and free liberty of religious opinion; nor shall any be compelled to frequent or maintain any religious institution.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Everyone should have free religious opinion without being forced to support institutions.
- In plain terms
- All people can choose their religion freely without being forced to pay for it.
- What can you take from it?
- No one should be compelled to fund or attend religious institutions.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Should taxes ever support religion?
- What defines a religious institution?
Another view
Some faith communities rely on mandated support to function.
More from Thomas Jefferson
The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time.
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