In man's life, the absence of an essential component usually leads to the adoption of a substitute. The substitute is read more

In man's life, the absence of an essential component usually leads to the adoption of a substitute. The substitute is usually embraced with vehemence and extremism, for we have to convince ourselves that what we took as second choice is the best there ever was. Thus blind faith is to a considerable extent a substitute for the lost faith in ourselves; insatiable desire a substitute for hope; accumulation a substitute for growth; fervent hustling a substitute for purposeful action; and pride a substitute for an unattainable self-respect.

Most people are bothered by those passages of Scripture they do not understand, but the passages that bother me are read more

Most people are bothered by those passages of Scripture they do not understand, but the passages that bother me are those I do understand.

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 a shadow than in the Church.

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!

There seems to be a terrible misunderstanding on the part of a great many people to the effect that when read more

There seems to be a terrible misunderstanding on the part of a great many people to the effect that when you cease to believe you may cease to behave.

Many have quarreled about religion that never practiced it.

Many have quarreled about religion that never practiced it.

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 you talk to God, you are praying; if God talks to you, you have schizophrenia.

If you talk to God, you are praying; if God talks to you, you have schizophrenia.

We send missionaries to China so the Chinese can get to heaven, but we won't let them into our country.

We send missionaries to China so the Chinese can get to heaven, but we won't let them into our country.