Bible Quote by Kurt Vonnegut
![“It was The Gospel From Outer Space, by Kilgore Trout. It was about a visitor from outer space...[who] made a serious study of Christianity, to learn, if he could, why Christians found it so easy to be cruel. He concluded that at least part of the trouble was slipshod storytelling in the New…” quote by Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e53/kurt-vonnegut-41_bible_it-was-the-gospel-from-outer-space-by-ki_77926.jpg)
““It was The Gospel From Outer Space, by Kilgore Trout. It was about a visitor from outer space...[who] made a serious study of Christianity, to learn, if he could, why Christians found it so easy to be cruel. He concluded that at least part of the trouble was slipshod storytelling in the New Testament. He supposed that the intent of the Gospels was to teach people, among other things, to be merciful, even to the lowest of the low. But the Gospels actually taught this: Before you kill somebody, make absolutely sure he isn't well connected. So it goes. The flaw in the Christ stories, said the visitor from outer space, was that Christ, who didn't look like much, was actually the Son of the Most Powerful Being in the Universe. Readers understood that, so, when they came to the crucifixion, they naturally thought...: "Oh, boy - they sure picked the wrong guy to lynch that time!" And that thought had a brother: "There are right people to lynch." Who? People not well connected. So it goes.””
About This Quote
A satirical alien observer critiques Christian narratives, suggesting they rationalize cruelty through selective storytelling and power dynamics.
In simple terms: Satire exposes moral hypocrisy in religious myths.
Key Takeaway
Religious stories can mask power‑based cruelty.
Themes
satire
religion
power
morality
human nature
Mood
ironic
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
literary quote
philosophical observation
When to use this quote
- theological study
- literary analysis
- cultural critique
- political commentary
Key Concepts
mythic narrative
ethical critique
social hierarchy
Practical Applications
- examining religious texts for bias
- using satire to reveal ethical contradictions
Questions to Reflect On
- How does power influence moral teachings?
- Can satire effectively challenge deep‑seated beliefs?
A Different Perspective
Some argue the Gospels promote universal compassion, not selective cruelty.
![“It was The Gospel From Outer Space, by Kilgore Trout. It was about a visitor from outer space... [who] made a serious study of Christianity, to learn, if he could, why Christians found it so easy to be cruel. He concluded that at least part of the trouble was slipshod storytelling in the New…” quote by Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/93d/kurt-vonnegut-41_bible_it-was-the-gospel-from-outer-space-by-ki_1230081.jpg)
![“Thomas Jefferson High School [..] His high school was named after a slave owner who was also one of the world’s greatest theoreticians on the subject of human liberty.” quote by Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/73a/kurt-vonnegut-41_freedom_thomas-jefferson-high-school-his-high-sc_9727.jpg)
