The biblical account of Noah's Ark and the Flood is perhaps the most implausible story for fundamentalists to defend. Where, read more

The biblical account of Noah's Ark and the Flood is perhaps the most implausible story for fundamentalists to defend. Where, for example, while loading his ark, did Noah find penguins and polar bears in Palestine?

The belief that there is only one truth, and that oneself is in possession of it, is the root of read more

The belief that there is only one truth, and that oneself is in possession of it, is the root of all evil in the world

From childhood's hour I have not been
As others were; I have not seen
As others saw; I could not read more

From childhood's hour I have not been
As others were; I have not seen
As others saw; I could not bring
My passions from a common spring.
From the same source I have not taken
My sorrow; I could not awaken
My heart to joy at the same tone;
And all I loved, I loved alone.

Either God is in the whole of nature, with no gaps, or He's not there at all.

Either God is in the whole of nature, with no gaps, or He's not there at all.

Practical prayer is harder on the soles of your shoes than on the knees of your trousers.

Practical prayer is harder on the soles of your shoes than on the knees of your trousers.

The coziness between church and state is good for the state and bad for the church.

The coziness between church and state is good for the state and bad for the church.

And the wisdom to distinguish one from the other.

And the wisdom to distinguish one from the other.

And some to Meccah turn to pray, and I toward thy bed, Yasmin.

And some to Meccah turn to pray, and I toward thy bed, Yasmin.

In isolated societies creeds can be preserved. It is where people of different traditions, outlook and creeds mingle freely and read more

In isolated societies creeds can be preserved. It is where people of different traditions, outlook and creeds mingle freely and exchange ideas that religious beliefs begin to be eroded. No one changes his beliefs without some instigation, some novel experience, some modification of the customary course of things, and in a closed society people believe what all their fellows obviously believe. Only when they are brought into contact with persons whom they respect holding different views do they begin to look at their inherited beliefs critically.