Ammunition Quote by Henry Ward Beecher
“There are many persons of combative tendencies, who read for ammunition, and dig out of the Bible iron for balls. They read, and they find nitre and charcoal and sulphur for powder. They read, and they find cannon. They read, and they make portholes and embrasures. And if a man does not believe as they do, they look upon him as an enemy, and let fly the Bible at him to demolish him. So men turn the word of God into a vast arsenal, filled with all manner of weapons, offensive and defensive.”
About This Quote
Source Sermon: The Word as Weapon, 1865
He warns that people weaponize scripture, turning it into tools for aggression and division.
In simple terms: People turn the Bible into weapons against others.
Key Takeaway
Guard against using faith to justify hostility.
Themes
religion
interpretation
conflict
weaponization
Mood
inspirational
cautionary
Type
sermon
philosophical
When to use this quote
- debating religious texts
- teaching inclusive theology
- addressing extremist rhetoric
- promoting interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
theology
rhetoric
social control
Questions to Reflect On
- How can scripture be used for peace?
- What safeguards prevent misuse?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on literalism can fuel intolerance.
![“In 1982, when Alexander Haig and [Ariel] Sharon put this plan to invade the south of Lebanon and Beirut, they imagined that in two or three or five days, they can demolish the PLO and destroy its infrastructure. What happened? The longest Arab - Israeli confrontation.” quote by Yasser Arafat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/82f/yasser-arafat-6821_ariel_in-1982-when-alexander-haig-and-ariel-sh_252847.jpg)
