The prevailing legal and moral views of a time are held not only by those whom they benefit but by read more

The prevailing legal and moral views of a time are held not only by those whom they benefit but by those, too, who appear to suffer from them. Their domination is expressed in that fact- that the people from whom they claim sacrifice accept them.

To speak of God, to think of God, is in every respect to show what one is made of. I read more

To speak of God, to think of God, is in every respect to show what one is made of. I have always wagered against God and I regard the little that I have won in this world as simply the outcome of this bet. However paltry may have been the stake (my life) I am conscious of having won to the full. Everything that is doddering, squint-eyed, vile, polluted and grotesque is summoned up for me in that one word: God!

And the wisdom to distinguish one from the other.

And the wisdom to distinguish one from the other.

Sermons are like pie-crust, the shorter the better.

Sermons are like pie-crust, the shorter the better.

If a man would follow, today, the teachings of the Old Testament, he would be a criminal. If he would read more

If a man would follow, today, the teachings of the Old Testament, he would be a criminal. If he would follow strictly the teachings of the New, he would be insane.

The total absence of humor from the Bible is one of the most singular things in all literature.

The total absence of humor from the Bible is one of the most singular things in all literature.

Morality is of the highest importance - but for us, not for God.

Morality is of the highest importance - but for us, not for God.

"The Church says that the Earth is flat, but I know that it is round. For I have seen the read more

"The Church says that the Earth is flat, but I know that it is round. For I have seen the shadow on the moon and I have more faith in the Shadow than in the Church.

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.