Antagonism Quote by H.G. Wells
![“I think that it [the Church] stands for everything most hostile to the mental emancipation and stimulation of mankind. It is the completest, most highly organized system of prejudices and antagonisms in existence. Everywhere in the world there are ignorance and prejudice, but the greatest complex…” quote by H.G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1e6/h-g-wells-2-1299_antagonism_i-think-that-it-the-church-stands-for-ev_2932425.jpg)
““I think that it [the Church] stands for everything most hostile to the mental emancipation and stimulation of mankind. It is the completest, most highly organized system of prejudices and antagonisms in existence. Everywhere in the world there are ignorance and prejudice, but the greatest complex of these, with the most extensive prestige and the most intimate entanglement with traditional institutions, is the Roman Catholic Church. It presents many faces towards the world, but everywhere it is systematic in its fight against freedom.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The New Republic, 1925
The Church is portrayed as a powerful, organized source of prejudice opposing mental freedom.
In simple terms: Institutional religion can hinder free thought.
Key Takeaway
Question authority that limits thinking.
Themes
religion
prejudice
freedom
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
sociopolitical
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- policy making
- education reform
- media analysis
Key Concepts
social critique
institutional power
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance tradition and free thought?
- What reforms could reduce institutional bias?
A Different Perspective
Not all religious institutions are uniformly oppressive.
![“The thing [Henry James'] novel is about is always there. It is like a church lit but without a congregation to distract you, with every light and line focused on the high altar. And on the altar, very reverently placed, intensely there, is a dead kitten, an egg-shell, a bit of string.” quote by H.G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/19f/h-g-wells-2-1299_books_the-thing-henry-james-novel-is-about-is_138893.jpg)
