I still say a church steeple with a lightening rod on top shows a lack of confidence.

I still say a church steeple with a lightening rod on top shows a lack of confidence.

Gods are fragile things; they may be killed by a whiff of science or a dose of common sense.

Gods are fragile things; they may be killed by a whiff of science or a dose of common sense.

Even a band of angels can turn ugly and start looting if enough angels are unemployed and hanging around the read more

Even a band of angels can turn ugly and start looting if enough angels are unemployed and hanging around the Pearly Gates convinced that all the succubi own all the liquor stores in Heaven.

At the core of every moral code there is a picture of human nature, a map of the universe, and read more

At the core of every moral code there is a picture of human nature, a map of the universe, and a version of history. To human nature (of the sort conceived), in a universe (of the kind imagined), after a history (so understood), the rules of the code apply.

There are three things that can destroy a preacher, the glory, the gold, and the girls.

There are three things that can destroy a preacher, the glory, the gold, and the girls.

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 Sunday school is a prison in which children do penance for the evil conscience of their parents.

A Sunday school is a prison in which children do penance for the evil conscience of their parents.

To say nothing of its holiness or authority, the Bible contains more specimens of genius and taste than any other read more

To say nothing of its holiness or authority, the Bible contains more specimens of genius and taste than any other volume in existence.

How can one better magnify the Almighty than by sniggering with him at his little jokes, particularly the poorer ones.

How can one better magnify the Almighty than by sniggering with him at his little jokes, particularly the poorer ones.