--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Christian morality (so called) has all…" description: "\"Christian morality (so called) has all the characters of a reaction… In its horror of sensuality, it made an idol of asceticism, which has been gradual..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0c/john-stuart-mill-477_appropriate_christian-morality-so-called-has-all-the_1810673.png" --- # Christian morality (so called) has all the characters of a… ![“Christian morality (so called) has all the characters of a reaction… In its horror of sensuality, it made an idol of asceticism, which has been gradually compromised away into one of legality. It holds out the hope of heaven and the threat of hell, as the appointed and appropriate motives to a…” quote by John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0c/john-stuart-mill-477_appropriate_christian-morality-so-called-has-all-the_1810673.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0c/john-stuart-mill-477_appropriate_christian-morality-so-called-has-all-the_1810673.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0c/john-stuart-mill-477_appropriate_christian-morality-so-called-has-all-the_1810673.png) > “Christian morality (so called) has all the characters of a reaction… In its horror of sensuality, it made an idol of asceticism, which has been gradually compromised away into one of legality. It holds out the hope of heaven and the threat of hell, as the appointed and appropriate motives to a virtuous life - in this falling far below the best of the ancients, and doing what lies in it to give to human morality an essentially selfish character… It is essentially a doctrine of passive obedience; it inculcates submission to all authorities found established.” [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote critiques Christian morality as reactionary, emphasizing asceticism, fear of hell, and obedience, which it argues makes morality selfish and passive. **In simple terms:** Christian morality is seen as reactionary and self‑serving. Key Takeaway Question motives beyond fear and obedience. Themes morality religion authority selfishness obedience Mood critical analytical Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - personal ethics - social policy - education - legal systems - religious practice Key Concepts reactionary doctrine passive obedience asceticism Questions to Reflect On - How does fear shape moral behavior? - Can obedience be virtuous? A Different Perspective It may overlook the positive communal aspects of shared belief. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Appropriate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appropriate/) [Asceticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asceticism/) [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Authority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Christian morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-morality/) [Doctrine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctrine/) [Fall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fall/) [Found](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/found/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) [Hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hell/) [Horror](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/horror/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Idols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idols/) [Legality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legality/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [Morality Called](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality-called-2110986/) [Morality Essentially](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality-essentially-1538365/) [Motive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motive/) [Motives Virtuous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motives-virtuous-2110987/) [Obedience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obedience/) [Passive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passive/) [Positive atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-atheism/) [Reactions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reactions/) [Selfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfish/) [Sensuality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sensuality/) [Submission](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/submission/) [Threat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/threat/) [Virtuous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtuous/) [Virtuous life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtuous-life/) ## Related quotes > [Christian morality (so called) has all the characters of a reaction; it is, in great part, a protest against Paganism. 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