Hobby Lobby’s “In God We Trust” ad is still untrustworthy

James Madison

“Before any man can be considered as a member of civil society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe.” – James Madison

VERDICT: Out-of-Context, Misleading

This out-of-context quote does a disservice to Madison. It is from his 1785 Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments. This beautiful document is something that everyone should read. The quote is part of Madison’s first argument against a tax to support teachers (ministers) of the Christian religion, which was proposed by Patrick Henry (also cited by Hobby Lobby). But this particular quote makes up the second part of Madison’s first argument for religious freedom. The first part is all about individual conscience and reason:

“Because we hold it for a fundamental and undeniable truth, ‘that Religion or the duty which we owe to our Creator and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence.’ [Virginia Declaration of Rights, Art. 16] The Religion then of every man must be left to the conviction and conscience of every man; and it is the right of every man to exercise it as these may dictate. This right is in its nature an unalienable right. It is unalienable, because the opinions of men, depending only on the evidence contemplated by their own minds cannot follow the dictates of other men:”

Only after pointing out that “reason,” “evidence,” and “minds” determine belief does Madison point out that beliefs are not only a right, but “wholly exempt” from the power of “civil government.” He is not saying that one must believe in a god to be a member of society, he is saying that society and government cannot dictate one’s beliefs because they are the product of the mind, which governments cannot legislate. Hobby Lobby’s presentation of the quote, alluding that a particular belief is required, is therefore antithetical to Madison’s point. From Madison, picking up where the above stopped:

“It is unalienable also, because what is here a right towards men, is a duty towards the Creator. It is the duty of every man to render to the Creator such homage and such only as he believes to be acceptable to him. This duty is precedent, both in order of time and in degree of obligation, to the claims of Civil Society. Before any man can be considered as a member of Civil Society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governour of the Universe: And if a member of Civil Society, do it with a saving of his allegiance to the Universal Sovereign. We maintain therefore that in matters of Religion, no man’s right is abridged by the institution of Civil Society and that Religion is wholly exempt from its cognizance. True it is, that no other rule exists, by which any question which may divide a Society, can be ultimately determined, but the will of the majority; but it is also true that the majority may trespass on the rights of the minority.” – James Madison

Don’t take our word for it; read this document for yourself. When you’re reading, notice that Madison does not discuss the Christian god and he never mentions Jesus. He always uses deistic terms like “Creator,” or “Governour of the Universe.” This actually refutes Hobby Lobby’s Christianity.