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What is the idea of God in heaven? Materialism. The…

“What is the idea of God in heaven? Materialism. The Vedantic idea is the infinite principle of God embodied in every one of us. God sitting up on a cloud! Think of the utter blasphemy of it! It is materialism - downright materialism. When babies think this way, it may be all right, but when grown…” quote by Swami Vivekananda
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“What is the idea of God in heaven? Materialism. The Vedantic idea is the infinite principle of God embodied in every one of us. God sitting up on a cloud! Think of the utter blasphemy of it! It is materialism - downright materialism. When babies think this way, it may be all right, but when grown - up men try to teach such things, it is downright disgusting - that is what it is. It is all matter, all body idea, the gross idea, the sense idea. Every bit of it is clay and nothing but clay. Is that religion?”

Swami Vivekananda

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 materialistic view of God as a physical entity, calling it blasphemous.

In simple terms: Seeing God as material is rejected.

Key Takeaway

Embrace a spiritual, non‑material concept of divinity.

Themes

theology materialism spirituality

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

philosophical theological

When to use this quote

  • personal belief
  • educational curricula
  • interfaith dialogue

Key Concepts

philosophy of religion anthropology

Questions to Reflect On

  • What defines a material versus spiritual deity?
  • How do cultural contexts affect divine concepts?
A Different Perspective

Spiritual concepts can be misinterpreted as literal.

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