In Hinduism, conscience, reason and independent thinking have no scope for development.

Our flag for a century and a half has been the symbol of the principles of liberty of conscience, of religious freedom and of equality before the law; and these concepts are deeply ingrained in our national character.

We have abundant reason to rejoice, that, in this land, the light of truth and reason has triumphed over the power of bigotry and superstition, and that every person may here worship God according to the dictates of his own heart. In this enlightened age, & in this land of equal liberty, it is our boast, that a man's religious tenets will not forfeit the protection of the laws, nor deprive him of the right of attaining & holding the highest offices that are known in the United States.

There can be no constitutional democracy in any community which denies to the individual his freedom to speak and worship as he wishes.

I like the religion that teaches liberty, equality and fraternity.

To our strongest impulse, to the tyrant in us, not only our reason but also our conscience yields.