It seems to me impossible for a civilized man to love or…
“It seems to me impossible for a civilized man to love or worship, or respect the God of the Old Testament. A really civilized man, a really civilized woman, must hold such a God in abhorrence and contempt... In the New Testament, death is not the end, but the beginning of punishment that has no end. In the New Testament the malice of God is infinite and the hunger of his revenge eternal... This frightful dogma, this infinite lie, made me the implacable enemy of Christianity. The truth is that this belief in eternal pain has been the real persecutor.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker condemns the Old Testament God as cruel, arguing that true civilization rejects such a deity.
In simple terms: A civilized person should reject a God who promises endless punishment.
Key Takeaway
Question the morality of doctrines promising eternal suffering.
Themes
religion
morality
civilization
eternity
justice
Mood
skeptical
analytical
provocative
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- personal belief
- ethical discussions
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
theology
philosophy
humanism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does belief in eternal punishment affect behavior?
- Can morality exist without religious doctrine?
A Different Perspective
The critique may overlook the symbolic or metaphorical aspects of religious texts.