Controversy Quote by Ambrose Bierce
“EUCHARIST, n. A sacred feast of the religious sect of Theophagi. A dispute once unhappily arose among the members of this sect as to what it was that they ate. In this controversy some five hundred thousand have already been slain, and the question is still unsettled.”
About This Quote
Source Dictionary: The Devil's Dictionary, 1906
A satirical definition highlighting absurd religious disputes and their deadly consequences.
In simple terms: Religious conflict can become absurdly violent.
Key Takeaway
Beware of fanaticism.
Themes
religion
conflict
satire
Mood
cynical
critical
Type
satirical
definition
When to use this quote
- theological debates
- historical sects
- political rhetoric
Key Concepts
absurdity
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives groups to extreme actions?
- How can satire defuse tension?
A Different Perspective
Violence may not always be the answer.
![“[All religious sects] dread the advance of science as witches do the approach of daylight; and scowl on the fatal harbinger announcing the subversion of the duperies in which they live.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/08c/thomas-jefferson-43_announcing_all-religious-sects-dread-the-advance-of_1053268.jpg)
![“There exists indeed an opposition to it [ building of UVA, Jefferson's secular college ] by the friends of William and Mary, which is not strong. The most restive is that of the priests of the different religious sects, who dread the advance of science as witches do the approach of day-light; and…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/74e/thomas-jefferson-43_clergy_there-exists-indeed-an-opposition-to-it_137072.jpg)
![“As we have seen after every other [Donald] Trump controversy, this one only increased their enthusiasm for him. His supporters thought the idea of a temporary halt in Muslims coming to the U.S. was a common sense proposal in a time of great fear about terrorism.” quote by Steve Inskeep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/93a/steve-inskeep-10882_common_as-we-have-seen-after-every-other-donald_19232.jpg)
