James Madison, on liberty (1792)
“In Europe, charters of liberty have been granted by power. America has set the example . . . of charters of power granted by liberty. This revolution in the practice of the world, may, with an honest praise, be pronounced the most triumphant epoch of its history, and the most consoling presage of its happiness.”
Angela Merkel, on freedom
“To exclude groups of people because of their faith, this isn’t worthy of the free state in which we live. It isn’t compatible with our essential values. And its humanly reprehensible, xenophobia, racism, extremism have no place here. We are fighting to ensure that they don’t have a place elsewhere either.”
First Amendment to U.S. Constitution (ratified Dec. 15, 1791)
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
Harry Emerson Fosdick, on war (1933)
“I renounce war for its consequences, for the lies it lives on and propagates, for the undying hatred it arouses, for the dictatorships it puts in place of democracy , for the starvation that stalks after it. (more…)
Northwest Ordinance (1787)
“Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.”
Mary Beth Tinker. (Photo by David W. Bulla)
Today, the annual First Amendment Day activities get underway at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. (more…)
Jawaharlal Nehru, on religion
“We must constantly remind ourselves that whatever our religion or creed, we are all one people.”
Mohandas K. Gandhi, on living an ethical life (1927)
“For one man cannot do right in one department of life whilst he is occupied in doing wrong in any other department. Life is one indivisible whole.”
Abe Fortas, on dissent
“Dissent and dissenters have no monopoly on freedom. (more…)
