--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Even the most humane and compassionate of…" description: "\"Even the most humane and compassionate of the monotheisms and polytheisms are complicit in this quiet and irrational authoritarianism: they proclaim us..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98d/christopher-hitchens-117_appeals_even-the-most-humane-and-compassionate-o_2108584.jpg" --- # Even the most humane and compassionate of the monotheisms… ![“Even the most humane and compassionate of the monotheisms and polytheisms are complicit in this quiet and irrational authoritarianism: they proclaim us, in Fulke Greville's unforgettable line, "Created sick Commanded to be well." And there are totalitarian insinuations to back this up if its…” quote by Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98d/christopher-hitchens-117_appeals_even-the-most-humane-and-compassionate-o_2108584.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98d/christopher-hitchens-117_appeals_even-the-most-humane-and-compassionate-o_2108584.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98d/christopher-hitchens-117_appeals_even-the-most-humane-and-compassionate-o_2108584.jpg) > “Even the most humane and compassionate of the monotheisms and polytheisms are complicit in this quiet and irrational authoritarianism: they proclaim us, in Fulke Greville's unforgettable line, "Created sick Commanded to be well." And there are totalitarian insinuations to back this up if its appeal should fail.” [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote critiques how religions, despite claims of compassion, can support oppressive authority by framing human suffering as divinely ordained. **In simple terms:** Religions may hide authoritarian control behind compassion. Key Takeaway Question how compassion is used to justify power. Themes religion authoritarianism compassion critique power Mood critical skeptical thoughtful Type philosophical analytical critical When to use this quote - political discourse - religious education - activism - policy analysis Key Concepts theodicy social control moral authority Questions to Reflect On - Can compassion exist without authoritarian overtones? - How do we separate genuine care from control? A Different Perspective Religions also inspire genuine altruism and community support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Appeals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appeals/) [Authoritarianism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authoritarianism/) [Compassionate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassionate/) [Compassionate Monotheisms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassionate-monotheisms-1164229/) [Failing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failing/) [Humane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humane/) [Humane Compassionate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humane-compassionate-4247258/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Irrational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irrational/) [Irrational Authoritarianism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irrational-authoritarianism-4247257/) [Lines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lines/) [Monotheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monotheism/) [Monotheisms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monotheisms-4247259/) [Polytheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/polytheism/) [Polytheisms Complicit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/polytheisms-complicit-1164230/) [Quiet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quiet/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Sick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sick/) [Unforgettable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unforgettable/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) ## Related quotes > [“I have been called arrogant myself in my time, and hope to earn the title again, but to claim that I am privy to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/i-have-been-called-arrogant-myself-in-my-time-and-hope-to-earn-the/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [A wide and vague impression exists that so-called Eastern religion is more contemplative, innocuous, and humane than the proselytizing monotheisms of the West. 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