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.

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.

Sermons are like pie-crust, the shorter the better.

Sermons are like pie-crust, the shorter the better.

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.

Theology is never any help; it is searching in a dark cellar at midnight for a black cat that isn't read more

Theology is never any help; it is searching in a dark cellar at midnight for a black cat that isn't there. Theologians can persuade themselves of anything.

When lip service to some mysterious deity permits bestiality on Wednesday and absolution on Sunday, cash me out.

When lip service to some mysterious deity permits bestiality on Wednesday and absolution on Sunday, cash me out.

There is only one greater folly than that of the fool who says in his heart there is no God, read more

There is only one greater folly than that of the fool who says in his heart there is no God, and that is the folly of the people that says with its head that it does not know whether there is a God or not.

Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.

Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.

It doesn't matter how many say it cannot be done or how many people have tried it before; it's important read more

It doesn't matter how many say it cannot be done or how many people have tried it before; it's important to realize that whatever you're doing, it's your first attempt at it.