Harvey Cox Quotes

Religion organized in the Church has in times past pursued two lines of action—First, it has secluded itself from the world, gone out of the world, that is, of the State; and, secondly, it has striven to reenter the world as a conqueror, to dominate the world

The secularists in Turkey haven't underestimated religion, they just made the mistake of believing they could control it with the power of the army alone.

Religious power, which, as I have already said, frequently identifies itself with political power, has always been a protagonist of this bitter struggle, even when it seemingly was neutral.

I believe in the separation of church and state, but I do not believe in the separation of politics from religion.

The past history of the Christian Church should be a solemn warning to us never to permit an alliance to be formed between the priesthood and the civil magistracy—between church and state powers.

It is an insult to reason and the laws to pronounce the words, 'Civil and Ecclesiastical Government.' … no regulation should be made save by the civil power.

I think those governments who resent religion, they're afraid of religion because religion may be in their eyes, in their views be seen as a counter government or a parallel government.

The church is not a political power; it's not a party, but it's a moral power.

Politics is the most important of the civil activities and has its own field of action, which is not that of religion.

Among politicians the esteem of religion is profitable; the principles of it are troublesome.

The ecclesiastical establishments of Europe which serve to support tyrannical governments are not the Christian religion but abuses and corruptions of it.

A cult is a religion with no political power.

It is human beings who are the basis for politics. A Christian person has great liberty to separate his religious faith from his political activity. The mistake committed by the Church in the Middle Ages was rectified - obviously after a struggle and violent revolutions - and political rule was entirely separated from politics. In our case (of Arab countries), ever since the struggle over who would inherit Prophet Muhammad's place, political rule was essentially based on religion.

What influence in fact have ecclesiastical establishments had on civil society? In some instances they have been seen to erect a spiritual tyranny on reigns of Civil authority; in many cases they have seen the upholding of the throne of political tyranny: In no instance have they been seen to be the guardians of the liberty of the people.

There are two principles by which the world is ruled: the authority of priests and the royal power. The authority of priests is the greater because God will demand an accounting of them even in regard to kings.

How hurtful to religion and the state is the concession to ministers of religion of any power of issuing decrees or transacting the business of government.

if any sect suffered itself to be used for political objects I would meet it by political opposition. In my view church and state should be separate, not only in form, but fact. Religion and politics should not be mingled.

I’m very worried about the religious right. I don’t believe in mixing religion and politics. They do a disservice to religion and to politics.

Nor can any ecclesiastical organization be safely permitted to usurp in the smallest degree the functions and powers of the National Government.

Intrude not yourself into ecclesiastical matters.

... the loathsome combination of church and state.

God doesn't belong in politics.

The founding fathers observed that in Europe’s history every time a man of the cloth assumed a civil role of leadership totalitarianism resulted.

Only when the modern bureaucracy was highly developed could the complete abolition of the parish priests as a political institution be contemplated.

Religion and politics are inseparable. Without religion, political science can create only despotism or anarchy.