Education Quote by Ezra Taft Benson
![“The tenth plank in Karl Marx's Manifesto for destroying our kind of civilization advocated the establishment of "free education for all children in public schools." There were several reasons why Marx wanted government to run the schools.…one of them [was that] ‘It is capable of exact…” quote by Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d2b/ezra-taft-benson-443_education_the-tenth-plank-in-karl-marx-s-manifesto_1363728.jpg)
““The tenth plank in Karl Marx's Manifesto for destroying our kind of civilization advocated the establishment of "free education for all children in public schools." There were several reasons why Marx wanted government to run the schools.…one of them [was that] ‘It is capable of exact demonstration that if every party in the State has the right of excluding from public schools whatever he does not believe to be true, then he that believes most must give way to him that believes least, and then he that believes least must give way to him that believes absolutely nothing, no matter in how small a minority the atheists or agnostics may be.’ It is self-evident that on this scheme, if it is consistently and persistently carried out in all parts of the country, the United States system of national popular education will be the most efficient and widespread instrument for the propagation of atheism which the world has ever seen.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Address to LDS General Conference, 1975
Marx argued that state-controlled public education would eliminate religious influence and spread atheism widely.
In simple terms: Marx feared public schools would promote atheism.
Key Takeaway
Question state control over education.
Themes
politics
education
religion
ideology
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- public policy debates
- school board meetings
- religious community discussions
- education reform proposals
Key Concepts
Marxism
secularism
state power
Questions to Reflect On
- How does state involvement affect religious freedom?
- Can education be both public and respectful of belief?
A Different Perspective
Marx's view reflects a biased interpretation of his writings and ignores broader educational goals.
