Take a look at Michelle’s coverage of Senator Ted Kennedy’s passing. As a powerful and influential Senator, Kennedy shaped many pieces of important legislation. Many religious freedom groups say they’ve also lost a fierce advocate for the separation of church and state.

“He deeply understood that only a high and firm wall of separation between church and state could protect our liberties,” said Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. “He knew the reasons why our Founders established church-state separation and why we need to preserve it. He got how church-state separation protects the rights of both religious and non-religious people.”

In 1983, Kennedy, a Catholic and a liberal Senator, was invited to speak at Liberty University, a conservative school with fundamentalist Baptist roots. The beliefs of Kennedy and the Chancellor of the school, Jerry Faldwell, on issues ranging from school prayer to abortion, couldn’t be more different. (Check out this 1985 article about their unlikely friendship.)

In the speech titled “Faith, Truth and Tolerance in America,” Kennedy said:

“I am an American and a Catholic; I love my country and treasure my faith. But I do not assume that my conception of patriotism or policy is invariably correct, or that my convictions about religion should command any greater respect than any other faith in this pluralistic society. I believe there surely is such a thing as truth, but who among us can claim a monopoly on it?”

Do you agree with Senator Kennedy’s thoughts on religious freedom?

Watch the You Tube video of Kennedy’s speech here.