Religion Quote by Dan Simmons
““wanted to know how any ethical system—much less a religion so indomitable that it had survived every evil mankind could throw at it—could flow from a command from God for a man to slaughter his son.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Hyperion, 1989
The narrator questions whether any moral or religious system can survive extreme evil without being commanded by a deity to commit atrocity.
In simple terms: Can ethics survive when God orders a terrible act?
Key Takeaway
Consider the limits of divine command ethics.
Themes
morality
theology
evil
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
inquisitive
When to use this quote
- philosophical debate
- theological study
- personal belief testing
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
divine command theory
ethical absolutism
problem of evil
Questions to Reflect On
- What if morality is secular?
- Does the scenario reflect real religious practice?
A Different Perspective
The quote assumes a monotheistic framework that may not apply universally.
![“any system of morals which has a theological basis becomes one of the tools by which the holders of power preserve their authority and impair the intellectual vigor of the young. ("Can Religion Cure Our Troubles?" [1954], Y 196)” quote by S.T. Joshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/16b/s-t-joshi-37452_character_any-system-of-morals-which-has-a-theolog_2886123.jpg)
