Alas Quote by Frances Wright
“... the yearly expenses of the existing religious systemexceed in these United States twenty millions of dollars. Twenty millions! For teaching what? Things unseen and causes unknown!... Twenty millions would more than suffice to make us wise; and alas! do they not more than suffice to make us foolish?”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Lecture on Religion and Public Funding, United States, 1848
She criticizes the huge spending on religious institutions, questioning its purpose and suggesting it could fund education instead.
In simple terms: Religious spending is wasteful; could fund wisdom.
Key Takeaway
Redirect funds to education.
Themes
religion
public policy
education
finance
criticism
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
political
social commentary
When to use this quote
- policy debate
- budget planning
- church funding
- public education
Key Concepts
secularism
resource allocation
public good
Questions to Reflect On
- How could redirected funds improve public knowledge?
- What are the benefits of reducing religious spending?
A Different Perspective
Religious institutions also provide social services beyond education.
