--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Scratch the Christian and you find the…" description: "\"Scratch the Christian and you find the pagan - spoiled.\" — Israel Zangwill" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30f/israel-zangwill-15655_christian_scratch-the-christian-and-you-find-the-p_1303119.jpg" --- # Scratch the Christian and you find the pagan - spoiled. ![“Scratch the Christian and you find the pagan - spoiled.” quote by Israel Zangwill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30f/israel-zangwill-15655_christian_scratch-the-christian-and-you-find-the-p_1303119.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30f/israel-zangwill-15655_christian_scratch-the-christian-and-you-find-the-p_1303119.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30f/israel-zangwill-15655_christian_scratch-the-christian-and-you-find-the-p_1303119.jpg) > “Scratch the Christian and you find the pagan - spoiled.” [Israel Zangwill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israel-zangwill/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Critique of Christianity revealing underlying pagan roots, suggesting impurity. **In simple terms:** Christianity may hide older pagan influences. Key Takeaway Question religious origins. Themes religion history critique Mood skeptical analytical Type critical philosophical When to use this quote - theological study - interfaith dialogue - literary criticism Key Concepts cultural syncretism historical analysis Questions to Reflect On - What evidence supports this claim? - How does this view affect interfaith respect? A Different Perspective May oversimplify complex religious evolution. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Christian Pagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-pagan-2697203/) [Pagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pagan/) [Pagan Spoiled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pagan-spoiled-4285633/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Scratch Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scratch-christian-4285634/) [Scratches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scratches/) [Spoiled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spoiled/) ## Related quotes > [“The story starts with the merging of two heritages, Christian and pagan, as monks reclaimed beer from the shaman, codifying his belief system and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bostwick/the-story-starts-with-the-merging-of-two-heritages-christian-and/) [William Bostwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bostwick/) > [“The brother is a burden to the Christian, precisely because he is a Christian. For the pagan the other person never becomes a burden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/the-brother-is-a-burden-to-the-christian-precisely-because-he-is-a/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [If God, in the Christmas mystery, reveals himself not as One who remains on high and dominates the universe, but as the One who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/if-god-in-the-christmas-mystery-reveals-himself-not-as-one-who/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [“The problem of living a Christian life in a non-Christian society is pressing, since most of our social institutions are non-Christian and in pagan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-r-van-til/the-problem-of-living-a-christian-life-in-a-non-christian-society-is/) [Henry R. Van Til](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-r-van-til/) > [The more I got to knew about Paganism the more Pagan I became, so to say, but I didn't really know enough until after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varg-vikernes/the-more-i-got-to-knew-about-paganism-the-more-pagan-i-became-so-to/) [Varg Vikernes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varg-vikernes/) > [A soil, exhausted by the long culture of Pagan empires, was to lie fallow for a still longer period.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lothrop-motley/a-soil-exhausted-by-the-long-culture-of-pagan-empires-was-to-lie/) [John Lothrop Motley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lothrop-motley/) > [The Supernatural is only the Natural disclosed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/the-supernatural-is-only-the-natural-disclosed/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [To appeal to contemporary man to revert, in this twentieth century, to a pagan-like nature worship in order to restrain technology from further encroachment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-lamm/to-appeal-to-contemporary-man-to-revert-in-this-twentieth-century-to/) [Norman Lamm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-lamm/) > [Gay men are guardians of the masculine impulse. To have anonymous sex in a dark alleyway is to pay homage to the dream of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/gay-men-are-guardians-of-the-masculine-impulse-to-have-anonymous-sex/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [He wasn't completely wrong, poor old Gemistus (let Lord Andronicus and the patriarch suspect him if they like), in wanting us, telling us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-p-cavafy/he-wasn-t-completely-wrong-poor-old-gemistus-let-lord-andronicus-and/) [C.P. Cavafy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-p-cavafy/) > [“The concepts of mercy and humility were not just unappreciated in pagan culture, they were ridiculed by men of the highest learning. The idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-carroll/the-concepts-of-mercy-and-humility-were-not-just-unappreciated-in/) [Vincent Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-carroll/) > [I have a sense of them being Easter religions, for some reason. Christianity, of course, is a mystery religion, too, and I believe that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-s-crisp/i-have-a-sense-of-them-being-easter-religions-for-some-reason/) [Quentin S. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-s-crisp/) > [Homer, Hesiod, Pythagoras, Plato, and Cicero, just to name a few, all lived in pagan societies. Some of the greatest political and military leaders…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-myers/homer-hesiod-pythagoras-plato-and-cicero-just-to-name-a-few-all-lived/) [Brendan Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-myers/) > [Think about it: we went into slavery pagans; we came out Christians. We went into slavery pieces of property; we came out American citizens.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/think-about-it-we-went-into-slavery-pagans-we-came-out-christians-we/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [Santa Claus has nothing to do with it," the latke said. "Christmas and Hanukah are completely different things." "But different things can often blend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/santa-claus-has-nothing-to-do-with-it-the-latke-said-christmas-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Israel Zangwill > [“The cold cut like a many bladed knife”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-zangwill/the-cold-cut-like-a-many-bladed-knife/) [Israel Zangwill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israel-zangwill/) > [The law of dislike for the unlike will always prevail. And whereas the unlike is normally situated at a safe distance, the Jews bring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-zangwill/the-law-of-dislike-for-the-unlike-will-always-prevail-and-whereas-the/) [Israel Zangwill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israel-zangwill/) > [Everything changes but change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-zangwill/everything-changes-but-change/) [Israel Zangwill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israel-zangwill/) > [A man likes his wife to be just clever enough to appreciate his cleverness, and just stupid enough to admire it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-zangwill/a-man-likes-his-wife-to-be-just-clever-enough-to-appreciate-his/) [Israel Zangwill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israel-zangwill/) > [Take from me the hope that I can change the future and you will send me mad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-zangwill/take-from-me-the-hope-that-i-can-change-the-future-and-you-will-send/) [Israel Zangwill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israel-zangwill/) > [The only true love is love at first sight; second sight dispels it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-zangwill/the-only-true-love-is-love-at-first-sight-second-sight-dispels-it/) [Israel Zangwill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israel-zangwill/) > [The way Bernard Shaw believes in himself is very refreshing in these atheistic days when so many people believe in no God at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-zangwill/the-way-bernard-shaw-believes-in-himself-is-very-refreshing-in-these/) [Israel Zangwill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israel-zangwill/) > [What clinical lectures I will give in heaven, demonstrating the ignorance of doctors!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-zangwill/what-clinical-lectures-i-will-give-in-heaven-demonstrating-the/) [Israel Zangwill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israel-zangwill/) > [The past is for inspiration, not imitation, for continuation, not repetition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-zangwill/the-past-is-for-inspiration-not-imitation-for-continuation-not/) [Israel Zangwill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israel-zangwill/) > [There are three reasons why men of genius have long hair. One is, that they forget it is growing. The second is, that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-zangwill/there-are-three-reasons-why-men-of-genius-have-long-hair-one-is-that/) [Israel Zangwill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israel-zangwill/) > [Artistic truth is for me literally the highest truth: art may seize the essence of persons and movements no less truly, and certainly far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-zangwill/artistic-truth-is-for-me-literally-the-highest-truth-art-may-seize/) [Israel Zangwill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israel-zangwill/) > [There never was such an age in which so many people were able to write badly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-zangwill/there-never-was-such-an-age-in-which-so-many-people-were-able-to/) [Israel Zangwill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israel-zangwill/) > [In how many lives does love really play a dominant part? The average taxpayer is no more capable of the grand passion than of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-zangwill/in-how-many-lives-does-love-really-play-a-dominant-part-the-average/) [Israel Zangwill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israel-zangwill/) > [Let us start a new religion with one commandment, "Enjoy thyself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-zangwill/let-us-start-a-new-religion-with-one-commandment-enjoy-thyself/) [Israel Zangwill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israel-zangwill/) > [I hate French poetry. What measured glitter!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-zangwill/i-hate-french-poetry-what-measured-glitter/) [Israel Zangwill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israel-zangwill/) [Explore all 42 Israel Zangwill quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israel-zangwill/) ## More Christian quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Why do Christians sing when they are together? The reason is, quite simply, because in singing together it is possible for them to speak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/why-do-christians-sing-when-they-are-together-the-reason-is-quite/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [“A question for Christians who accept evolution: When did we gain a "soul"? Did Homo habilis have a soul? Homo ergaster? Did God only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-g-mcafee/a-question-for-christians-who-accept-evolution-when-did-we-gain-a/) [David G. McAfee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-g-mcafee/) > [Always have the fear of God in your heart, and remember that God is always with you, everywhere, whether you are walking or sitting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennadius-of-constantinople/always-have-the-fear-of-god-in-your-heart-and-remember-that-god-is/) [Gennadius of Constantinople](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennadius-of-constantinople/) > [For many, the call to be a Christian can seem demanding, even overwhelming. But we need not be afraid or feel inadequate. The Savior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-hales/for-many-the-call-to-be-a-christian-can-seem-demanding-even/) [Robert D. Hales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-hales/) > [A real Christian in an odd number anyway. He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen, talks familiarly every day to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-real-christian-in-an-odd-number-anyway-he-feels-supreme-love-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When the Lord Jesus Christ became my surety . . . He went to Calvary's cross, and all my guilt was charged against Him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-allen-ironside/when-the-lord-jesus-christ-became-my-surety-he-went-to-calvary-s/) [Henry Allen Ironside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-allen-ironside/) > [The world's history is a divine poem, of which the history of every nation is a canto, and every man a word. Its strains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/the-world-s-history-is-a-divine-poem-of-which-the-history-of-every/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [Poor David Hume is dying fast, but with more real cheerfulness and good humor and with more real resignation to the necessary course of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-smith/poor-david-hume-is-dying-fast-but-with-more-real-cheerfulness-and/) [Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-smith/) > [“Is there any holy beings like human beings?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/is-there-any-holy-beings-like-human-beings/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [We need to discover all over again that worship is natural to the Christian, as it was to the godly Israelites who wrote the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/we-need-to-discover-all-over-again-that-worship-is-natural-to-the/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) [Browse all 14,306 Christian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Scratch the Christian and you find the pagan - spoiled.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Israel Zangwill" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-zangwill/scratch-the-christian-and-you-find-the-pagan-spoiled/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Christian" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-zangwill/scratch-the-christian-and-you-find-the-pagan-spoiled/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30f/israel-zangwill-15655_christian_scratch-the-christian-and-you-find-the-p_1303119.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30f/israel-zangwill-15655_christian_scratch-the-christian-and-you-find-the-p_1303119.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30f/israel-zangwill-15655_christian_scratch-the-christian-and-you-find-the-p_1303119.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Scratch the Christian and you find the pagan - spoiled.” — Israel Zangwill", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Israel Zangwill", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israel-zangwill/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Scratch the Christian and you find...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-zangwill/scratch-the-christian-and-you-find-the-pagan-spoiled/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-zangwill/scratch-the-christian-and-you-find-the-pagan-spoiled/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```