Each epoch has found in the Gospels what it sought to find there, and has overlooked what it wished to read more

Each epoch has found in the Gospels what it sought to find there, and has overlooked what it wished to overlook.

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.

I feel no need for any other faith than my faith in the kindness of human beings. I am so read more

I feel no need for any other faith than my faith in the kindness of human beings. I am so absorbed in the wonder of earth and the life upon it that I cannot think of heaven and angels.

Give God the margin of eternity to justify himself.

Give God the margin of eternity to justify himself.

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.

If someone were to prove to me -- right this minute -- that God, in all his luminousness, exists, it read more

If someone were to prove to me -- right this minute -- that God, in all his luminousness, exists, it wouldn't change a single aspect of my behavior.

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.

If "everybody knows" such-and-such, then it ain't so, by at least ten thousand to one.

If "everybody knows" such-and-such, then it ain't so, by at least ten thousand to one.

One of the proofs of the divinity of our gospel is the preaching it has survived.

One of the proofs of the divinity of our gospel is the preaching it has survived.