When also I am told that a woman, called the Virgin Mary…
““When also I am told that a woman, called the Virgin Mary, said, or gave out, that she was with child without any cohabitation with a man, and that her betrothed husband, Joseph, said that an angel told him so, I have a right to believe them or not: such a circumstance required a much stronger evidence than their bare word for it: but we have not even this; for neither Joseph nor Mary wrote any such matter themselves. It is only reported by others that they said so. It is hearsay upon hearsay, and I do not chose to rest my belief upon such evidence.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He argues that extraordinary claims about divine birth lack sufficient evidence and should not be accepted without stronger proof.
In simple terms: Extraordinary claims need strong evidence.
Key Takeaway
Demand proof before belief.
Themes
skepticism
faith
evidence
religion
critical thinking
Mood
critical
inquisitive
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- debates on religious claims
- academic discussions
- personal belief assessment
Key Concepts
epistemology
historical analysis
theology
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence would you consider sufficient?
- How do cultural traditions influence belief?
A Different Perspective
Historical religious narratives often rely on tradition rather than documentation.