If worthless men are sometimes at the head of affairs, it is, I believe, because worthless men are at the tail and the middle
John AdamsThe United States is not a Christian nation any more than it is a Jewish or a Mohammedan nation.
John AdamsGovernment has no Right to hurt a hair of the head of an Atheist, for his Opinions. Let him have a care of his Practices.
John AdamsThe form of government which you admire, when its principles are pure is admirable indeed. It is productive of every Thing which is great and excellent among men. But its principles are as easily destroyed as human nature is corrupted. Such a government is only to be supported by pure religion or Austere morals.
John AdamsSuppose a nation, rich and poor, high and low, ten millions in number, all assembled together; not more than one or two millions will have lands, houses, or any personal property; if we take into the account the women and children, or even if we leave them out of the question, a great majority of every nation is wholly destitute of property, except a small quantity of clothes, and a few trifles of other movables.
John AdamsAs the government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen [Muslims] ... it is declared ... that no pretext arising from religious opinion shall ever product an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.... The United States is not a Christian nation any more than it is a Jewish or a Mohammedan nation.
John Adams