Asking Quote by David Gerrold
“Christianity has held back any further advances in human consciousness for the past thousand years. And for the past century it's been in direct conflict with its illegitimate offspring, Communism (again with a capital C). Both ask the individual to sacrifice his self-interest to the higher goals of the organization. (Which is okay by me as long as it's voluntary; but as soon as either becomes too big - and takes on that damned capital C - they stop asking for cooperation and start demanding it.) Any higher states of human enlightenment have been sacrificed between these two monoliths.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Future of Ideology, 1998
The statement argues that both Christianity and Communism demand personal sacrifice for collective goals, limiting individual enlightenment.
In simple terms: Both ideologies suppress individual growth for group aims.
Key Takeaway
Question the cost of collective demands on personal freedom.
Themes
politics
religion
individualism
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political debate
- social movements
- personal ethics
- organizational behavior
Key Concepts
collectivism
ideological conflict
freedom vs control
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance personal autonomy with communal responsibility?
- Can any ideology truly be voluntary?
A Different Perspective
The view may oversimplify complex histories and motivations.
