“pitch. This is what a self-centered religion does to us: it allows us to use it to further our own ends.” — John Irving Copy Share Image
“[...]every study of the gods, of everyone's gods, is a revelation of vengeance toward the innocent” — John Irving Copy Share Image
“Mr. Merrill was most appealing because he reassured us that doubt was the essence of faith, and not faith’s opposite.” — John Irving Copy Share Image
If you asked me one day, I might say, "Well, sometimes I feel a little bit religious." If you asked me another… — John Irving Copy Share Image
Watch out for people who call themselves religious; make sure you know what they mean––make sure they know what they mean! — John Irving Copy Share Image
What was even more germane was my study of the history of religion. It was one of the few things in school… — John Irving Copy Share Image
“Because I was a Wheelwright-and, therefore, a New England snob-I'd assumed that Phoenix was largely composed of Mormons and Baptists and Republicans;” — John Irving Copy Share Image
“Many things the gods achieve beyond our judgement,'" said the sorrowful girl. "'What we thought is not confirmed and what we thought… — John Irving Copy Share Image
“It's long been a point of mine that the freedom of religion, which this country alleges to support, works two ways. We're… — John Irving Copy Share Image
Religious freedom should work two ways: we should be free to practice the religion of our choice, but we must also be… — John Irving Copy Share Image
Patriotism is not necessarily defined as blind devotion to a president's particular agenda - and that to dispute a presidential policy is… — John Irving Copy Share Image
“The kind of people claiming to be in communication with God today . . . they are enough to drive a real… — John Irving Copy Share Image
“A person's faith goes at its own pace. The trouble with church is the service. A service is conducted for a mass… — John Irving Copy Share Image
I have no respect for the right-to-life position. But when you legislate personal belief, you're in violation of freedom of religion. The… — John Irving Copy Share Image
“AND LOOK AT WHAT WE CALL ‘RELIGION’: TURN ON ANY TELEVISION ON ANY SUNDAY MORNING! SEE THE CHOIRS OF THE POOR AND… — John Irving Copy Share Image
“The Reagan administration is full of such “careless people”; their kind of carelessness is immoral. And President Reagan calls himself a Christian!… — John Irving Copy Share Image
“Because of A Prayer for Owen Meany, many of my readers assume I am “religious.” I go to church only occasionally—like a… — John Irving Copy Share Image
When you legislate personal belief, you're in violation of freedom of religion. — John Irving Copy Share Image
This is what self-centered religion does to us: it allows us to use it to further our own ends. — John Irving Copy Share Image
Never confuse faith, or belief—of any kind—with something even remotely intellectual. — John Irving Copy Share Image
Your memory is a monster; you forget - it doesn't. It simply files things away. It keeps things for you, or hides things from… — John Irving Copy Share Image
… and so he tried to accept the ache in his heart as what Dr. Larch would call the common symptoms of normal life. — John Irving Copy Share Image
Watch out for people who call themselves religious; make sure you know what they mean––make sure they know what they mean! — John Irving Copy Share Image
The desire to never leave your side, the desire to never see you again. The desire to see your face asleep on the pillow… — John Irving Copy Share Image
I had been a student in Vienna, and one of the neat little things I had found out was about that zoo. It was… — John Irving Copy Share Image
“God, I think I just hit a high E-flat - and I really held it!" Esmeralda said, after one of her more prolonged orgasms,… — John Irving Copy Share Image
“Nostalgia!" Miss Frost cried. "You´re nostalgic!" She repeated. "Just how old are you, William?" She asked. "Seventeen, " I told her. "Seventeen!" Miss Frost… — John Irving Copy Share Image
“JUST BECAUSE A BUNCH OF ATHEISTS ARE BETTER WRITERS THAN THE GUYS WHO WROTE THE BIBLE DOESN'T NECESSARILY MAKE THEM RIGHT!" [Owen Meany] said… — John Irving Copy Share Image
It is much easier to be flexible about where a story begins than it ever was for me to change my mind about where… — John Irving Copy Share Image
“Only the chicken-lover will understand me. He will give me a kindly look, maybe mildly desirous. His eyes will tell me: You might look… — John Irving Copy Share Image
You're nice,' Cushie told him, squeezing his hand. 'And you're my oldest friend.' But they both must have known that you can know someone… — John Irving Copy Share Image
![“[...]every study of the gods, of everyone's gods, is a revelation of vengeance toward the innocent” quote by John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/048/john-irving-337_education_every-study-of-the-gods-of-everyone-s-go_584305.jpg)
![“JUST BECAUSE A BUNCH OF ATHEISTS ARE BETTER WRITERS THAN THE GUYS WHO WROTE THE BIBLE DOESN'T NECESSARILY MAKE THEM RIGHT!" [Owen Meany] said crossly. "LOOK AT THOSE WEIRDO TV MIRACLE-WORKERS--THEY'RE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO BELIEVE IN MAGIC! BUT THE REAL MIRACLES AREN'T ANYTHING YOU CAN…” quote by John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70e/john-irving-337_atheists_just-because-a-bunch-of-atheists-are-bet_31804.jpg)
