Catholic education Quote by Colin Cotterill
““Like you, I grew up in a remote animist village. But then I went to a strict Catholic education in France. I was perfectly content to accept the grand Shee Yee of the Otherworld and the Lord B, and Jesus and his mother as my spiritual icons as long as I didn't have to spend too long on my knees. I would have settled for a committee. I just wanted order. But once I started to see my own ghosts I understood what these religions were all about. They were clubs set up by people like me to stop themselves from going mad. You know what I really think happens? You die. You wait for your number. There's a bit of time to take care of unfinished business. And you pass on. And, as you don't come back, nobody actually knows what you pass on to. But that description has never been acceptable. People want an ending. They don't want to vanish into thin air. So these great religious gurus made some endings up. The more comfortable and happy your ending, the more members signed up and paid their fees. And the kings and emperors started to add rules and regulations to subjugate the commoners and keep them in line. As so they invented hell and told you if you coveted your neighbor's mule you wouldn't even get into the clubhouse at the end of it all.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Unseen Path, 2018
Religions are seen as human-made structures offering comforting endings, but they also serve to control and pacify societies.
In simple terms: Religion offers comfort and control.
Question the narratives presented by institutions.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- philosophical debate
- counseling
- education
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you find comfort in structured belief?
- How does questioning belief affect personal peace?
Some may find comfort in these narratives despite their constructed nature.