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The quote "Freedom is wholly unfit for non-religious society" suggests that freedom, particularly in the sense of a stable and ordered liberty that is not reliant on government force, is dependent on a shared moral framework traditiona
The quote, attributed to John implies a belief that a society's stability and adherence to its laws and freedoms require a strong moral foundation.
Adams suggests that without the moral and religious guidance that he considered essential, human passions like avarice, ambition, and revenge would undermine social order and render the constitution inadequate for governance.
Essentially, the statement posits that a non-religious society might lack the inherent moral compass or restraint necessary for freedom to flourish without descending into chaos or social breakdown.
It's important to note that this is a specific perspective, reflecting Adams' personal views and the context of his time. Modern secular societies have demonstrated the possibility of achieving stability and upholding freedoms based on principles of reason, human rights, and democratic processes, rather than solely on religious dogma. Secularism, defined as the separation of religious institutions from state institutions, can be seen as a way to safeguard freedom of religion or belief for all, whether religious or not, by ensuring that the government remains neutral and does not favor any particular religion or impose religion on its citizens.
From John Adams to Massachusetts Militia, 11 October 1798
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