"It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg"

In Notes on Virginia (1782), Thomas Jefferson said:

The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.

I love this quote. All at once Jefferson is asserting both the vital importance of separation of church and state, as well as the need for religious tolerance. People can believe whatever they want to and worship whatever they want, as long as it doesn't harm others. Yeah, I know - "as long as it doesn't harm others." We could debate about that all day. But the truth is, what my neighbor does believe really doesn't pick my pocket or break my leg. It doesn't matter.

Debate about the proper role of religion in society is seemingly endless. Surveys show that a majority of Americans accept the idea that the U.S. is a "Christian nation," whatever that is. About half of Americans actually believe that the Constitution established one, despite no mention of God or Christ anywhere in the document. Jefferson's wise comment should really serve as a reminder for people on all sides of the debate. As long as others' beliefs aren't "injurious," we need to let them believe what they want. This is one reason why I'm a member of the ACLU. The ACLU has consistently fought for religious freedom, even for unpopular groups.

However, perhaps also implicit in Jefferson's statement is that religious beliefs generally are not injurious to others, or that religious belief is private enough not to be injurious. Obviously, we know this isn't the case. We also know it's not the case that everyone will care as little what their neighbor believes as Jefferson did. Atheists are the least trusted minority group in America, according to a recent study. Likewise, throughout American history, various religious groups have been seriously persecuted for their beliefs.

Fortunately, today people in our country are rarely persecuted for their beliefs. When the battle of words escalate, we ought to remember Jefferson's words and respect others' right to believe whatever they wish. Determining when beliefs become injurious is another matter, and we cannot remain quiet when they do so.

On a related note, it's been interesting to read media coverage in the aftermath of Romney's withdrawal from the Presidential race. Many journalists, aware of survey data showing that evangelicals are the most likely to say they wouldn't vote for a Mormon and noting how poorly he did in the South, argue that his Mormonism really was an obstacle (and liability). It's difficult to know how much that may have been the case. It's also important to remember that many didn't find his claim of being a true conservative convincing after he was a pretty moderate, reasonable governor in Massachusetts. But, it's worth considering. I once read an article on the super-conservative American Family Association's website arguing that Romney shouldn't be President since he lacked the discernment to tell that Mormonism is false. Again, it neither breaks my leg nor picks my pocket. No wonder on surveys more liberal and moderate Americans had less problem with Romney's Mormonism.

Again, I'm not at all saying we should tolerate hateful or intolerant behavior. But talk is just talk, and beliefs are just beliefs. It would do us all good to remember that.