Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quoteShare via Email Print this Page Daily Quotes Archives2008-01-23 Jan 23, 2008There is no position on which people are so immovable as their religious beliefs. There is no more powerful ally one can claim in a debate than Jesus Christ, or God, or Allah, or whatever one calls this supreme being. But like any powerful weapon, the use of God's name on one's behalf should be used sparingly. The religious factions that are growing throughout our land are not using their religious clout with wisdom. They are trying to force government leaders into following their position 100 percent. If you disagree with these religious groups on a particular moral issue, they complain, they threaten you with a loss of money or votes or both. I'm frankly sick and tired of the political preachers across this country telling me as a citizen that if I want to be a moral person, I must believe in 'A,' 'B,' 'C,' and 'D.' Just who do they think they are? And from where do they presume to claim the right to dictate their moral beliefs to me?~ Barry GoldwaterIt is indeed probable that more harm and misery have been caused by men determined to use coercion to stamp out a moral evil than by men intent on doing evil.~ Friedrich August von HayekA puritan is a person who pours righteous indignation into the wrong things.~ Gilbert Keith Chesterton Jan 22, 2008Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.~ Northwest Ordinance, Article III, 1787Good government generally begins in the family, and if the moral character of a people once degenerate, their political character must soon follow.~ Elias BoudinotA general dissolution of the principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy.... While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but once they lose their virtue, they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.... If virtue and knowledge are diffused among the people, they will never be enslaved. This will be their great security.~ Samuel Adams Jan 21, 2008Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest prop of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked: Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us with caution indulge in the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle... Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be that good policy does not equally enjoin it?~ George WashingtonIf freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.~ George WashingtonThe time is now near at hand which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their houses and farms are to be pillaged and destroyed, and themselves consigned to a state of wretchedness from which no human efforts will deliver them. The fate of unborn millions will now depend on God, on the courage and conduct of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave resistance, or the most abject submission. We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die.~ George Washington Jan 18, 2008Courtesy towards opponents and eagerness to understand their view-point is the ABC of non-violence.~ Mahatma Mohandas K. GandhiSeeing much, suffering much, and studying much, are the three pillars of learning.~ Benjamin DisraeliYou can no more win a war than you can win an earthquake.~ Jeannette Rankin Jan 17, 2008The survival of democracy depends on the renunciation of violence and the development of nonviolent means to combat evil and advance the good.~ A. J. MusteYou can't shake hands with a clenched fist.~ Indira GandhiThey said it couldn't be done but sometimes it doesn't work out that way.~ Casey Stengel Previous week's quotes Next week's quotes Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print