"Even under our liberal form of government the State cannot afford to allow unbridled religious liberty. The utmost that is consistent with the very existence of the civil government is a limited religious liberty. Nor can we agree with those who seem to hold that a multiplicity of warring religious beliefs is the ideal of social perfection. The conditions that necessitate even a limited toleration of all beliefs will ever prove more or less dangerous to the welfare of the people according as religious convictions are more or less strong, or according as they are maintained by men more or less ignorant and narrow. When it is needlessly proclaimed it is an invitation to sectarianism, with its inevitable disunions and discussions; it is perilous to the peace of a community. The closer the union between the civil and religious authority, as long as each aids the other, and neither encroaches upon the domain of the other, the better will it be for both and the more secure will be the peace of the people."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Catholics from the United StatesPeople from BaltimoreRoman Catholic bishopsClergy from the United States
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Maryland; The Land of Sanctuary (1907)
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/William_Thomas_Russell
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
William Thomas Russell
William Thomas Russell (October 20, 1863 – March 18, 1927) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church who served as bishop of the Diocese of Charleston.
1 quote on TrueQuotesView all quotes by William Thomas Russell →
Related Quotes
"Enjoying an extraordinary knowledge of languages (ancient and modern), literature, and art, by his cultured personali…"
"When young persons are summoned from this world ere they have mingled in its sinful pursuits, they can be readily yie…"
"He was a horse of goodly countenance, rather expressive of vigilance than fire; though an unnatural appearance of fie…"
"In the younger days of the Republic there lived in the county of —— two men, who were admitted on all hands to be the…"
"It is said that a hundred gamecocks will live in perfect harmony together it you do not put a hen with them; and so i…"
"All the knowing ones were consulted as to the issue, and they all agreed, to a man, in one of two opinions: either th…"
"Language cannot describe the scene that followed; the shouts, oaths, frantic gestures, taunts, replies, and little fi…"
"• Let the future historian, if he will, add beauty of expression and the charm of polished diction to this plain, unp…"