When we debunk a fanatical faith or prejudice, we do not strike at the root of fanaticism. We merely prevent read more

When we debunk a fanatical faith or prejudice, we do not strike at the root of fanaticism. We merely prevent its leaking out at a certain point, with the likely result that it will leak out at some other point. Thus by denigrating prevailing beliefs and loyalties, the militant man of words unwittingly creates in the disillusioned masses a hunger for faith. For the majority of people cannot endure the barrenness and futility of their lives unless they have some ardent dedication, or some passionate pursuit in which they can lose themselves. Thus, in spite of himself, the scoffing man of words becomes the precursor of a new faith.

A man met a lad weeping. "What do you weep for?" he asked. "I am weeping for my sins," said read more

A man met a lad weeping. "What do you weep for?" he asked. "I am weeping for my sins," said the lad. "You must have little to do," said the man. The next day, they met again. Once more the lad was weeping. "Why do you weep now?" asked the man. "I am weeping because I have nothing to eat," said the lad. "I thought it would come to that," said the man.

The wolf was sick, he vowed a monk to be: But when he got well, a wolf once more was read more

The wolf was sick, he vowed a monk to be: But when he got well, a wolf once more was he.

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.

A religious life is a struggle and not a hymn.

A religious life is a struggle and not a hymn.

In every country and every age, the priest has been hostile to Liberty.

In every country and every age, the priest has been hostile to Liberty.

Those of little faith are of little hatred.

Those of little faith are of little hatred.

The Christian churches were offered two things: the spirit of Jesus and the idiotic morality of Paul, and they rejected read more

The Christian churches were offered two things: the spirit of Jesus and the idiotic morality of Paul, and they rejected the higher inspiration... Following Paul, we have turned the goodness of love into a fiend and degraded the crowning impulse of our being into a capital sin.

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.