Mahathir Mohamad Quotes

Persecution is not an original feature in any religion; but it is always the strongly marked feature of all religions established by law.

Freedom of religion also implies the right not to have or profess a religion. This is sometimes overlooked. It is a sad commentary on religion that religionists, probably quite well-meaning at times, have throughout history tried to force fellow human beings into a required religious mold. Apart from the very wrong theological assumptions involved, this is a flagrant violation of the dignity of the human person. Coerced religion is demeaning and of little value.

We allow none ... to be dragged to the alters unwillingly.

This history of a secular state doesn't exist, no. The state is Christian, and those who are against it can leave.

unless a religion springs from within the people themselves, it is a weapon of the system.

The Roman Catholics must know as well as we do that 'Popery' when encouraged by government has always been dangerous to the liberties of the people.

The religion that has to be supported by law is without value, not only, but a fraud and a curse. The religious argument that has to be supported by a musket is hardly worth making.

Religion has certainly been shoved down my throat.

So the question is, First, Whether the civil magistrate hath power to force men in things religious to do contrary to their conscience, and if they will not to punish them in their goods, liberties, or lives? this we hold in the negative.

I have always marveled that so many religions exact such revenge against dissenters. It only weakens the appeal of their faith and contradicts any claims they might have made that 'all religions are basically the same.' If all religions were indeed the same, why not let someone be 'converted' to another religion?

I believe in a religion that believes in freedom. Any time I have to accept a religion that won't let me fight a battle for my people, I say to hell with that religion.

I beg you be persuaded that no one would be more zealous than myself to establish effectual barriers against the horrors of spiritual tyranny, and every species of religious persecution.

When the government says to you that they want to help you be more religious, you want to run away from them as fast as possible.

Look not to the size of cathedrals or even to the words on the statute books for proof of the reality of religious freedom. Ask what is the fate of the Protestant in Spain, the Jew in Saudi Arabia, the Arab in Israel, the Catholic in Poland or the atheist in the United States?

It is and has of long time been our constant sense and opinion that conscience ought not to be constrained, nor people forced in matters of religion.

It is not possible in the nature of things to establish religion by human laws without perverting the design of civil law and oppressing the people.

We decree that no Christian shall use violence to compel the Jews to accept baptism.

We cannot command the religion of our subjects, since no-one can be forced to believe against his will.

It is certainly no part of religion to compel religion.

Amongst so many captives taken, so many nations forced under their [the Ancient Jewish Kingdom’s] obedience, we find not one man forced into the Jewish Religion and the worship of the true God and punished for idolatry, though all of them were certainly guilty of it.

We have freedom of religion in our country, yet we must guard against forcible conversions or through pecuniary enticements.

If a man wishes to have God recognized in the constitution of our country, let him read the history of the Inquisition, and let him remember that hundreds of millions of men, women, and children have been sacrificed to placate the wrath, or win the approbation of this god.

Religion, too, is a weapon. What manner of weapon is religion when it becomes the government?

In some countries the common people are not permitted to read the Bible at all. In ours, it is as common as a newspaper and in schools is read with nearly the same degree of respect.

Religious freedom is often referred to as America's first freedom. Our country was founded by religious exiles and built on the belief that God has given all people certain inalienable rights. Government's role in society is to protect these rights and ensure that we are safe from religious persecution and discrimination.