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On two subjects the overwhelming majority of people…

“On two subjects the overwhelming majority of people regarded their own opinions as Absolute Truth, and sincerely believed that anyone who disagreed with them was immoral, outrageous, sinful, sacrilegious, offensive, intolerable, stupid, illogical, treasonable, actionable, against the public…” quote by Robert A. Heinlein
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“On two subjects the overwhelming majority of people regarded their own opinions as Absolute Truth, and sincerely believed that anyone who disagreed with them was immoral, outrageous, sinful, sacrilegious, offensive, intolerable, stupid, illogical, treasonable, actionable, against the public interest, ridiculous, and obscene. The two subjects were (of course) sex and religion.”

Robert A. Heinlein

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He satirizes how people treat sex and religion as absolute truths, labeling dissenters immoral.

In simple terms: Sex and religion are treated as absolute truths.

Key Takeaway

Question dogmatic beliefs and foster tolerance.

Themes

dogma sexuality religion intolerance

Mood

critical inquisitive

Type

philosophical social

When to use this quote

  • personal relationships
  • public policy
  • education curricula
  • media discourse

Key Concepts

critical thinking open dialogue ethical relativism

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you handle conflicting beliefs?
  • What makes a belief “absolute”?
A Different Perspective

Some absolute values provide social cohesion.

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