p. 25 | Power of Choice in Religion by J. A. Oppy

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 4, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 44.

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Power of Choice in Religion

By J. A. Oppy

“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.”— Declaration of Independence.

Here are ten men, A, B, C, D, etc.

1. Every one of these ten men has a right to choose his own religion.

2. Every one of the ten has a right to refuse to make any choice.

3. As every one of the ten has a right to choose or not to choose, no one of the ten has a right to interfere or compel the choice of any one of the ten.

4. No one of the ten has a right to compel any one of the ten to abide by his own choice, for this would deny a man the right to change his mind, and so interfere with the right of choice.

5. No one of the ten has a right to compel any one of the ten to act as though he had made a choice; for this would make a hypocrite of him.

6. If any one man has no right to compel any one of the ten to act as though he had made a choice, then nine of the ten can not compel the tenth to act so.

7. If a majority of the ten persons should crystallize their choice into law, it would give them no right to compel the minority.

8. This forever denies the civil government the right to have anything to do with religion, save to protect every man in his choice or in his refusal of choice.— J. A. Oppy.