When I come across one or other of my fellow Christians…
““When I come across one or other of my fellow Christians ignorant of astronomy, believing what is not so, I calmly look on, not thinking him the worse for mistaking the place or order of created things, so long as he holds nothing demeaning to you, Lord, the creator of all those things. But he is worse off if he holds that his error is a matter of religious faith, and persists stubbornly in the error. His faith is still a weak thing in its cradle, needing the milk of a mothering love, until the youth grows up and cannot be the play-thing, any more, of every doctrinal wind that blows. But one who ventures on the role of teacher, of leader and ruler of those under his spell, whose followers heed him not as a man only but as your very Spirit -- what are we to make of him when he is caught purveying falsehoods? Should we not reject and despise such madness?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Ignorance of science is tolerable, but when error is presented as religious doctrine and stubbornly held, it becomes dangerous.
In simple terms: Science errors are okay; religious errors are harmful.
Key Takeaway
Question teachings that mix error with faith.
Themes
religion
knowledge
authority
Mood
cautionary
critical
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- religious instruction
- public discourse
- teaching
Key Concepts
critical thinking
dogma
education
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you differentiate between scientific and doctrinal errors?
- What responsibilities do leaders have in teaching truth?
A Different Perspective
May dismiss legitimate scientific uncertainty.