"By our form of government, the Christian religion is the established religion; and all sects and denominations of Christians are placed upon the same equal footing, and are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty"

Samuel Chase, a United States Supreme Court Justice and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, made a statement recognizing the Christian religion as established by the government's form but emphasized the equal treatment of various sects and denominations within Christianity. His words offer a window into the prevailing attitudes toward religion and government in early American history. At the time, the First Amendment had set the ambitious goal of religious freedom, and many states were navigating the delicate relationship between religion, public life, and legal frameworks.

Chase's assertion that the Christian religion was "the established religion" does not necessarily mean he advocated for an official state church or government-mandated belief. Rather, Christianity formed a fundamental backdrop to societal values and norms, an assumption commonly held during the founding period. However, he notably clarifies that all Christian denominations and sects were to be treated equally under the law. This is a crucial distinction: rather than promoting one sect over another, the American legal system was constructed to avoid privileging specific interpretations or traditions, seeking to ensure fairness across Christian communities.

The phrase "equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty" underscores the importance the early republic placed on conscience and freedom of worship. Chase's view reflects the era's shift from European models, where state churches often persecuted minority groups. By stating that all Christian groups stand on the "same equal footing", he advanced the concept of religious pluralism, at least within the boundaries of Christianity.

Yet, the statement also reflects the limitations of religious tolerance at the time, as it considers only Christian denominations. Non-Christian faiths, though not directly addressed, found themselves outside the primary focus of early American religious liberty. Over time, American legal interpretation would continue expanding, extending the principle of equal protection to all faiths, not just Christian ones. Chase's words demonstrate an intermediate stage in the evolution of American religious freedom: rooted in Christian tradition, but moving deliberately toward a broader, more inclusive interpretation of liberty and equality.