Nevertheless, it is the Christian theory that it is only a…
““Nevertheless, it is the Christian theory that it is only a regard for this Being -- partly a trembling fear and partly a kind of conciliation represented to be love -- that keeps the human race from roaring downhill to villainy and disaster. Nor are theologians daunted by the obvious fact that many open and even ribald skeptics are not going that way, but, on the contrary, show a considerably higher degree of virtue than the Christian average. Their answer ... is that the moral sense of every such blameless candidate for Hell 'is a kind of parasitic growth upon the otherworldliness of the society in which he lives.' ... Even men who should know better indulge in this confusion between the religious impulse and common decency. ... But this is surely going beyond the plain facts. A man may be truly religious without imagining God as good at all, and he may be good without believing that there is any moral order in the universe or even that God exists. Religion does not necessarily make men better citizens, whether of their neighborhoods or of the world.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Religion does not inherently make people moral; virtue can exist without belief, and belief does not guarantee ethical behavior.
In simple terms: Morality is independent of religion.
Key Takeaway
Judge actions, not affiliations.
Themes
ethics
religion
human nature
Mood
skeptical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- personal conduct
- public policy
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
Moral philosophy
secular ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- Can secular societies foster virtue?
- What role should religion play in public life?
A Different Perspective
Religious communities often claim moral superiority.