Religion and the Laws of the Republic

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 9, 1906

Religion and the Laws of the Republic

The attorney for the defense in a prosecution for an offense against the Sunday laws in Richmond, Va., stated some truths which are worthy of universal recognition. He said:—

The laws of this free country have nothing to do with religion, and a religion that relies on the laws of a country can be no religion at all.

This republic is not a Christian nation, a Jewish nation, a Buddhist nation, a

Mohammedan nation, a nation of Confucianism, but an American nation. This country stands for freedom—freedom of religion, as freedom of the press. An oath is taken in the courts of this land on the Bible because this observance is believed to add a solemnity to the oath. But the courts hold that any, objecting to be sworn on the Old or New Testament, need not so be sworn. If churches can not maintain religion, it should not depend on the law, and ought to go.