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.

Fear prophets and those prepared to die for the truth, for as a rule they make many others die with read more

Fear prophets and those prepared to die for the truth, for as a rule they make many others die with them, often before them, at times instead of them.

It is the test of a good religion whether you can joke about it.

It is the test of a good religion whether you can joke about it.

If the Lord Almighty had consulted me before embarking upon Creation, I should have recommended something simpler.

If the Lord Almighty had consulted me before embarking upon Creation, I should have recommended something simpler.

Man's most valuable trait Is a judicious sense of what not to believe.

Man's most valuable trait Is a judicious sense of what not to believe.

The intellectual is constantly betrayed by his vanity. Godlike he blandly assumes that he can express everything in words; whereas read more

The intellectual is constantly betrayed by his vanity. Godlike he blandly assumes that he can express everything in words; whereas the things one loves, lives, and dies for are not, in the last analysis completely expressible in words.

Religion is the idol of the mob; it adores everything it does not understand.

Religion is the idol of the mob; it adores everything it does not understand.

If the truth were known, many sermons are prepared and preached with more regard for the sermon than the souls read more

If the truth were known, many sermons are prepared and preached with more regard for the sermon than the souls of the hearers.

I started out by believing God for a newer car than the one I was driving. I started out believing read more

I started out by believing God for a newer car than the one I was driving. I started out believing God for a nicer apartment than I had. Then I moved up.