A union of government and religion tends to destroy government and to degrade religion.

The United States has a system of taxation by confession

An unconditional right to say what one pleases about public affairs is what I consider to be the minimum guarantee of the First Amendment.

The "establishment of religion" clause of the First Amendment means at least this: Neither a state nor the Federal Government can set up a church. Neither can pass laws which aid one religion, aid all religions, or prefer one religion over another. Neither can force nor influence a person to go to or to remain away from church against his will or force him to profess a belief or disbelief in any religion.

The history of governmentally established religion, both in England and in this country, showed that whenever government had allied itself with one particular form of religion, the inevitable result had been that it had incurred the hatred, disrespect and even contempt of those who held contrary beliefs.

The flagrant disregard in the courtroom of elementary standards of proper conduct should not and cannot be tolerated.

The lesson which wars and depressions have taught is that if we want peace, prosperity and happiness at home we must help to establish them abroad.