Introduction:
Religious freedom stands as a cornerstone of democratic societies, embodying the fundamental human right to practice one’s faith without fear of persecution or discrimination. Throughout history, individuals and communities have fought tirelessly to uphold this essential liberty, recognizing its significance in fostering diversity, tolerance, and understanding among people of various beliefs. From ancient civilizations to modern-day struggles, the quest for religious freedom has been both a testament to human resilience and a reminder of the enduring value of individual conscience.
In the face of adversity, voices of courage and conviction have emerged, championing the cause of religious liberty and inspiring generations with their words. From philosophers and statesmen to religious leaders and activists, these figures have articulated the importance of respecting diverse spiritual paths and safeguarding the rights of all individuals to worship according to their conscience. Their insights shed light on the enduring significance of religious freedom in shaping societies where pluralism and mutual respect thrive. Below, you will find a collection of poignant quotes that encapsulate the essence of religious freedom, serving as beacons of wisdom and inspiration for all who cherish this fundamental human right.
The Religious Freedom Restoration Act in Indiana does not give anyone the right to deny services to anyone in this state. It is simply a balancing test used by our federal courts and jurisdictions across the country for more than two decades. Mike Pence
To say I support religious freedom is to say I support idolatry. It’s to say I support lies. I support Hell. I support the kingdom of darkness. You can’t say that. John MacArthur
The Religious Freedom Restoration Act extends religious liberty to corporations without regard to their for-profit and non-profit status. Josh Hawley
America’s answer to the intolerant man is diversity – the very diversity which our heritage of religious freedom has inspired. Robert Kennedy
The plan was always to come to America, because Pakistan’s a scary place. They don’t have religious freedom. It’s very poor, and there’s a lot of violence and corruption. Kumail Nanjiani
Religious freedom is already protected in the United States. It’s in our Constitution. It’s in most state constitutions. Dannel Malloy
We have religious freedom – which is important. But we want everyone in our country to respect our laws, and our laws on Islam say it is not acceptable to have influence abroad on the Muslim community in Austria, and it is not acceptable that Islamic organizations or imams are financed from abroad. Sebastian Kurz
The federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act passed unanimously in the House, won 97 votes in the Senate, and was signed into law by President Bill Clinton. Twenty states have passed their own versions of this law, and 11 additional ones have religious-liberty protections that state courts have interpreted to provide a similar level of protection. Edwin Meese
I am very against this love jihad law. I feel it’s an unconstitutional law because in our country, in this democracy, we have the right… we are granted religious freedom. So, if you are saying that women can vote, then it follows naturally that women can also choose their own partners and women can choose their own fate. Konkona Sen Sharma
If we really want to cherish religious freedom, people who want to believe that same-sex marriage should take place, they have a right to believe that, and people who want to believe it’s inappropriate, we should not demonize those people – if we really believe in religious liberty. Foster Friess
Religious freedom is a proud founding principle of America and ethnic bigotry flies in the face of American principles of liberty and equality. Madison Cawthorn
Religious tolerance is something we should all practice; however, there have been more persecution and atrocities committed in the name of religion and religious freedom than anything else. Walter Koenig
I wouldn’t fight for religious freedom because I won’t fight for idolatry. Why would I fight for the devil to have as many false religions as possible and all of them to be available to everyone? John MacArthur
The Pledge of Allegiance was founded on ideals of religious freedom, and has been a valuable part of our national life for generations. Cindy Hyde-Smith
I’m up here in Cleveland tonight and there are a lot of folks who are concerned about it. Twenty-five percent of the people up here get their health care through religious organizations and so that religious freedom issue is very important to them. Rob Portman
Americans deserve to have their religious beliefs and practices protected. Religious freedom is too important to be trampled by insensitive bureaucracy or bad policy. Charles T. Canady
The right to religious freedom is not a gift of the state or a gift of a group. Suharto
America’s commitment to religious freedom and tolerance should not be conditional. Mark McKinnon
And the whole world, the whole world that believes in freedom, whether you’re talking about personal freedom, economic freedom, religious freedom, they look to the United States for leadership; and you’re part of that leadership. Don Nickles
That sacred space of conscience where you can exercise your rights in terms of religious freedom and deeply-held, reasonable beliefs is the core of human dignity. In fact, that’s the basis for civilization itself. And when you lose that fundamental principle… you have no basis on which to build. Jeff Fortenberry
I will be the first to admit that the sanctity of life and the preservation of religious freedom are not even among the top ten concerns of most voters. But those issues should be of primary importance to those who call themselves Christians. Robert Jeffress
I had immigrant grandparents who came to this country and came for religious freedom and loved it, never made any money, Bronx, Brooklyn, but loved America. And they told me every day it’s the greatest country in the world. Dan Rosensweig
I’ve supported a lot of folks with a lot of points of view. But I have concerns about Mr. Trump’s temperament. Some of the things he’s said about women, Muslims and religious freedom, I just can’t support. Charlie Baker
Regrettably, the Obama administration has chosen to take a lackadaisical approach to religious freedom, and allowed IRFA to fade into the background. Mark Meadows
The imperative of protecting religious freedom was not just a nod in the direction of piety. It reflects the Framers’ belief that religion was indispensable to sustaining our free system of government. William Barr
I just see religious freedom, as a category, as just being a black hole. Gary Johnson
If companies can refuse to provide coverage for women, what other objections to the Affordable Care Act will we see based on ‘religious grounds’? For that matter, will ‘religious freedom’ be used as an excuse to discriminate against other minorities and disenfranchised groups across the board? Where will it end? Al Sharpton
Christianity advances whether there is religious freedom or not. John MacArthur
I don’t even support religious freedom. John MacArthur
I think most people have no idea about what religious freedom means. Eric Metaxas
Given the divisiveness and pain that have accompanied several state religious freedom laws, I approach attempts at legislating religious exceptions to anti-discrimination laws with great sensitivity and care. Gary Johnson
Religious freedom is what sends people to Hell. John MacArthur
Religious freedom sits at the core of who we are as Americans. Mikie Sherrill
I believe that this is the land of religious freedom and that that applies to Muslims. And if I have to make it apply to Muslims with the work that I do, I’m going to do that. Linda Sarsour
As a follower of Jesus, I am called to work for justice and reconciliation, and to be an advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves. I plan to focus my future work on human rights and religious freedom – both domestic and international – as well as matters of the culture and the American family. Frank Wolf
Religious freedom is one of the most fundamental of human rights because religious freedom comes from the dignity of the human being as God’s creature. Suharto
A just laicism allows religious freedom. The state does not impose religion but rather gives space to religions with a responsibility toward civil society, and therefore it allows these religions to be factors in building up society. Pope Benedict XVI
President Kennedy’s election was such an enlargement. It expanded religious freedom to include the highest office in the land. President Kennedy’s administration was such an enlargement. It advanced the day when the bars of intolerance against all minority groups will be lifted, not only for the presidency, but for all aspects of our national life. Robert Kennedy
Where are the gains for religious freedom and human rights to justify all the bombings, invasions and wars we have conducted in the lands from Libya to Pakistan – to justify the losses we have endured and the death and suffering we have inflicted? Pat Buchanan
In Arkansas, we believe in religious freedom. Tom Cotton
Usually, it is not my habit to address religious issues on the floor. I strongly believe in a person’s right to religious freedom, as well as the separation of church and state. Alcee Hastings
I wore a uniform to stand up for all rights and that means I don’t pick or choose which I defend, whether it’s for equality rights or women’s rights. I’ve been consistent on that in my public life. I’ve also stood up for religious freedom, conscience rights of freedom of speech. Erin O’Toole
Religious freedom is too sacred a right to be restricted or prohibited in any degree without convincing proof that a legitimate interest of the state is in grave danger. Frank Murphy
Here was buried Thomas Jefferson Author of the Declaration of American Independence Of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom & Father of the University of Virginia. Thomas Jefferson
The right to religious freedom and the right to vote are both fundamental to our democracy. Lois Frankel
Protection of religious freedom means considering the faiths and beliefs of everyone involved. Mike Quigley
At the political level, most Jews and most Catholics have accepted the liberal idea of religious freedom. David Novak
Human rights, of course, must include the right to religious freedom, understood as the expression of a dimension that is at once individual and communitarian – a vision that brings out the unity of the person while clearly distinguishing between the dimension of the citizen and that of the believer. Pope Benedict XVI
Discriminatory legislation emboldens those who seek to make us afraid while giving those communities it hurts a concrete reason to fear. We must stay away from anti-immigrant legislation as well as so-called religious freedom legislation that harms our LGBTQ communities. Stacey Abrams
America is the center of personal and religious freedom. But America will disappear if we don’t follow the Constitution. John DeLorean
I think we recognize as Americans there are certain things that are just primary to the freedoms and liberties that we enjoy here and religious freedom is one of the most important things we as Americans cherish. Ann Romney
If the president of the United States says that attacks on civilians, starvation, and denial of religious freedom in Sudan are important international issues, they become so. Elliott Abrams
As Canadians who proudly demand the equal treatment of minorities, religious freedom, gender equality and basic human rights for its citizens – allowing our political leaders to shamefully ignore these values in the name of business abroad, falls short of the high standard we rightfully set for ourselves. Jagmeet Singh
Religious institutions should have religious freedom on this issue. No church or minister should ever have to conduct a marriage that is inconsistent with their religious beliefs. But I think as a civil institution, this issue’s time has come and we need to move forward. Kay Hagan
Religious freedom opens a door for Americans that is closed to too many others around the world. But whether we walk through that door, and what we do with our lives after we do, is up to us. Mitt Romney
I do believe that religious liberty, the First Amendment, gay rights, and transgender equality can all coexist. I’m also a constitutionalist, and we have to ensure anti-discrimination laws don’t violate First Amendment rights or religious freedom. Nancy Mace
The U.S. should prohibit perpetrators and supporters of Islamist brutality from entering the country while embracing advocates for religious freedom. End of story. Pete Hoekstra
Donald Trump, Mike Pence, and Jeff Sessions are using their powers and offices to make life as difficult as possible for everyone from the transgender worker to the gay widower to the queer undocumented immigrant. These efforts are not about bathrooms or religious freedom; they’re about driving LGBTQ people out of public life. Sarah McBride
We’re being told that America is a zero sum game – that the dreams of immigrants come at the expense of those native born and that the religious freedom of some threatens the security of others. But we know this is a lie. Reshma Saujani
As we consider the shared values of the U.S. and India, due attention to the fundamental human right of religious freedom is of the utmost importance. Trent Franks
Every false religion is going to be free because it’s linked to the kingdom of darkness that operates in the world. And Christians, whatever the label of religious freedom might be in its broadest sense, Christians are always the target even with religious freedom, of the hostility of sinners. John MacArthur
Religious freedom, often referred to as the first freedom, is of central import to the American experiment. As such it should feature prominently in U.S. foreign policy. Frank Wolf
One person’s rights do not have to come at the expense of another’s. If we can find common ground on religious freedom and LGBT issues in Utah – one of the nation’s most religious and conservative states – we can do it anywhere in the country. Gary Herbert
Muhammad Ali struck us in the middle of America’s darkest night, in the heart of its most threatening gathering storm. His power toppled the mightiest of foes, and his intense light shined on America, and we were able to see clearly injustice, inequality, poverty, pride, self realization, courage, laughter, love, joy and religious freedom for all. Billy Crystal
To increase aid to the Pakistan government when religious freedom is not upheld is tantamount to an anti-Christian foreign policy. Keith O’Brien
I believe in democracy. I also believe in religious freedom. Danny K. Davis
Ultimately, America’s answer to the intolerant man is diversity, the very diversity which our heritage of religious freedom has inspired. Robert Kennedy
The growing tide of anti-Semitism shocks the conscious of everyone who values freedom, and the ugly, hateful acts particularly stain the character of democracies where liberty and religious freedom are supposed to be respected. Mike Ferguson
No Christian with half a brain would say ‘we support religious freedom.’ John MacArthur
