Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, inscribed on the Jefferson Memorial is a quotation from Thomas Jefferson that reads, in part: ``No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship or ministry or shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief, but all men shall be free to profess and by argument to maintain their opinions in matter of religion.'' There is nothing about the National Day of Prayer that compels anyone to support any religious worship or ministry. There are no ``prayer police.'' In fact, we who support the National Day of Prayer wish it were more successful, but in no way do we seek to impose it. Yet all men are free to maintain their religion through prayer and other means. What threatens some people about a still small moment of silence for contemplation or a prayer to a higher being in whatever form? Nothing about the National Day of Prayer requires any person to do anything. So I ask those who are threatened by this, Where is the harm to them? The Founding Fathers gave us freedom of religion, not freedom from religion. The court decision declaring the day unconstitutional cannot stand. ____________________”