--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Religions have always stressed that…" description: "\"Religions have always stressed that compassion is not only central to religious life, it is the key to enlightenment and it the true test of spirituali..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2df/karen-armstrong-1053_buddhism_religions-have-always-stressed-that-comp_677005.jpg" --- # Religions have always stressed that compassion is not only… ![“Religions have always stressed that compassion is not only central to religious life, it is the key to enlightenment and it the true test of spirituality. But there have always have been those who'd rather put easier goals, like doctrine conformity, in place.” quote by Karen Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2df/karen-armstrong-1053_buddhism_religions-have-always-stressed-that-comp_677005.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2df/karen-armstrong-1053_buddhism_religions-have-always-stressed-that-comp_677005.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2df/karen-armstrong-1053_buddhism_religions-have-always-stressed-that-comp_677005.jpg) > “Religions have always stressed that compassion is not only central to religious life, it is the key to enlightenment and it the true test of spirituality. But there have always have been those who'd rather put easier goals, like doctrine conformity, in place.” [Karen Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-armstrong/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Compassion is central to spiritual enlightenment, yet many prioritize doctrine over genuine empathy. **In simple terms:** True spirituality requires compassion, not just doctrine. Key Takeaway Prioritize compassion over rigid belief. Themes spirituality compassion doctrine enlightenment Mood inspirational thoughtful Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - religious practice - personal growth - community service Key Concepts ethics religion humanism Questions to Reflect On - How can you cultivate compassion daily? - What doctrines hinder your empathy? A Different Perspective Compassion can be difficult to practice consistently. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Buddhism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddhism/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Compassion Central](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion-central-5364530/) [Conformity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conformity/) [Doctrine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctrine/) [Easier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easier/) [Enlightenment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightenment/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/keys/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religions Stressed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religions-stressed-5223199/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Religious life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious-life/) [Setting goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/setting-goals/) [Spirituality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirituality/) [Spirituality Easier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirituality-easier-5364531/) [Stressed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stressed/) [Stressed Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stressed-compassion-5364532/) [Tests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tests/) ## Related quotes > [“Whether Jewish or Christian, our religions have stressed too strongly the strictly historical aspect, so that we are, so to say, in worship of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/whether-jewish-or-christian-our-religions-have-stressed-too-strongly/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [Eventually, with regret, I left the religious life, and, once freed of the burden of failure and inadequacy, I felt my belief in God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-armstrong/eventually-with-regret-i-left-the-religious-life-and-once-freed-of/) [Karen Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-armstrong/) > [I left the convent and that was because I wasn't a very good nun. 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