Apostles Quote by George Bernard Shaw
“Christianity as a specific doctrine was slain with Jesus, suddenly and utterly. He was hardly cold in his grave, or high in his heaven (as you please), before the apostles dragged the tradition of him down to the level of the thing it has remained ever since.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: The Man Who Was Thursday, George Bernard Shaw, 1908
Shaw criticizes how Christianity was reduced to a doctrine after Jesus, losing its original vitality.
In simple terms: Christianity was turned into a rigid doctrine after Jesus.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the difference between belief and institutionalized religion.
Themes
religion
institution
doctrine
history
critique
Mood
skeptical
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- church services
- academic study
- personal faith discussions
- interfaith dialogues
- public debates
Key Concepts
theology
institutionalism
secularism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does institutionalization affect spiritual experience?
- Can doctrine preserve core teachings?
A Different Perspective
Shaw’s view may overlook the positive community aspects of organized religion.
![“Listen to these words of [apostle] Paul: "We war not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness that's in high places." It's in "high places" that the plot against Black and Brown, and poor White is going…” quote by Louis Farrakhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/152/louis-farrakhan-1264_apostle-paul_listen-to-these-words-of-apostle-paul-we_95649.jpg)
