--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Plain speaking is necessary in any…" description: "\"“Plain speaking is necessary in any discussion of religion, for if the freethinker attacks the religious dogmas with hesitation, the orthodox believer ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bac/david-marshall-brooks-231380_atheism_plain-speaking-is-necessary-in-any-discu_3117869.jpg" --- # Plain speaking is necessary in any discussion of religion… ![“Plain speaking is necessary in any discussion of religion, for if the freethinker attacks the religious dogmas with hesitation, the orthodox believer assumes that it is with regret that the freethinker would remove the crutch that supports the orthodox. And all religious beliefs are 'crutches'…” quote by David Marshall Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bac/david-marshall-brooks-231380_atheism_plain-speaking-is-necessary-in-any-discu_3117869.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bac/david-marshall-brooks-231380_atheism_plain-speaking-is-necessary-in-any-discu_3117869.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bac/david-marshall-brooks-231380_atheism_plain-speaking-is-necessary-in-any-discu_3117869.jpg) > ““Plain speaking is necessary in any discussion of religion, for if the freethinker attacks the religious dogmas with hesitation, the orthodox believer assumes that it is with regret that the freethinker would remove the crutch that supports the orthodox. And all religious beliefs are 'crutches' hindering the free locomotive efforts of an advancing humanity. There are no problems related to human progress and happiness in this age which any theology can solve, and which the teachings of freethought cannot do better and without the aid of encumbrances.”” David Marshall Brooks ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Religion often serves as a crutch; free thought challenges dogma, urging humanity toward progress beyond theological limits. **In simple terms:** Freethought fuels advancement. Key Takeaway Question doctrines, pursue progress. Themes religion dogma crutch freethought human progress theology advancement Mood critical analytical Type Atheism:1 Believer:0 Crutch:1 Discussion:1 Freethinker:1 Human progress:1 Orthodox:0 Regret:0 Religion:1 Religious beliefs:0 Religious dogma:0 Religion Freethinker:0 Discussion Religion:0 Beliefs Crutches:0 Teachings Freethought:0 When to use this quote - debate - academic discourse - personal belief - policy making Key Concepts philosophy sociology ethics Questions to Reflect On - How do you reconcile faith and reason? - What role should religion play in modern society? A Different Perspective Dogma can still provide community support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Believer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believer/) [Freethinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freethinker/) [Human progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-progress/) [Orthodox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/orthodox/) [Regret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regret/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religious beliefs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious-beliefs/) [Religious dogma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious-dogma/) ## Related quotes > [In any discussion of religion and personality integration the question is not whether religion itself makes for health or neurosis, but what kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/in-any-discussion-of-religion-and-personality-integration-the/) [Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/) > [“There is no freedom in any religion. 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