Wherever God erects a house of prayer the Devil always…
““Wherever God erects a house of prayer the Devil always builds a chapel there; And t’will be found, upon examination, the latter has the largest congregation." — Defoe's The True-Born Englishman, 1701””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Religious institutions often face opposition, and the opposing group may attract more followers than intended.
In simple terms: Opposition can unintentionally grow larger.
Beware of unintended consequences.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- church planting
- interfaith dialogue
- community building
- media analysis
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can leaders anticipate and mitigate backlash?
- What factors turn opposition into attraction?
The quote may exaggerate historical tensions; not all opposition leads to larger followings.