In some awful, strange, paradoxical way, atheists tend to take religion more seriously than the practitioners.

In some awful, strange, paradoxical way, atheists tend to take religion more seriously than the practitioners.

No religion can long continue to maintain its purity when the church becomes the subservient vassal of the state.

No religion can long continue to maintain its purity when the church becomes the subservient vassal of the state.

It was a hug that said you're not alone. It was a hug that, just when I thought all my read more

It was a hug that said you're not alone. It was a hug that, just when I thought all my strength was used up, and I couldn't go on, renewed me.

The human understanding is no dry light, but receives infusion from the will and affections; which proceed sciences which may read more

The human understanding is no dry light, but receives infusion from the will and affections; which proceed sciences which may be called "sciences as one would." For what a man had rather were true he more readily believes. Therefore he rejects difficult things from impatience of research; sober things, because they narrow hope; the deeper things of nature, from superstition; the light of experience, from arrogance and pride; things not commonly believed, out of deference to the opinion of the vulgar. Numberless in short are the ways, and sometimes imperceptible, in which the affections color and infect the understanding.

If there were a verb meaning "to believe falsely," it would not have any significant first person, present indicative.

If there were a verb meaning "to believe falsely," it would not have any significant first person, present indicative.

For men become civilized, not in proportion to their willingness to believe, but in proportion to their readiness to doubt.

For men become civilized, not in proportion to their willingness to believe, but in proportion to their readiness to doubt.

Prayer is a confession of one's own unworthiness and weakness.

Prayer is a confession of one's own unworthiness and weakness.

Find fault when you must find fault in private, and if possible sometime after the offense, rather than at the read more

Find fault when you must find fault in private, and if possible sometime after the offense, rather than at the time.

God has been so lavish in his gifts that you can lose some priceless ones, the equivalent of whole kingdoms, read more

God has been so lavish in his gifts that you can lose some priceless ones, the equivalent of whole kingdoms, and still be indecently rich,.