Character Quote by Ludwig Feuerbach
![“[Faith] makes salvation dependent on itself, not on the fulfilment of common human duties. … [I]nwardly morality is subordinate to faith, so it must also be outwardly, practically … sacrificed to faith. … [A]ctions which are morally bad, but which according to faith are laudable, because they have…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bc7/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_character_faith-makes-salvation-dependent-on-itsel_3005693.jpg)
““[Faith] makes salvation dependent on itself, not on the fulfilment of common human duties. … [I]nwardly morality is subordinate to faith, so it must also be outwardly, practically … sacrificed to faith. … [A]ctions which are morally bad, but which according to faith are laudable, because they have in view the advantage of faith. … Hence faith absolves … everything; … the highest commandment therefore is: Believe!””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Essence of Christianity, 1841
Faith demands obedience over moral reasoning, making believers justify immoral acts for religious goals.
In simple terms: Faith can override morality, leading to harmful actions.
Key Takeaway
Question blind faith that conflicts with ethics.
Themes
faith
morality
religion
obedience
ethics
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal decision making
- ethical debates
- religious practice
- policy making
Key Concepts
faith absolutism
moral relativism
religious authority
Questions to Reflect On
- Can faith be reconciled with universal ethics?
- What limits should be placed on religious authority?
A Different Perspective
Faith may be used to excuse wrongdoing.
![“As Israel made the wants of his national existence the law of the world, as under the dominance of these wants he deified even his political vindictiveness; so the Christian made the requirements of human feeling the absolute powers and laws of the world. [T]hat is, indeed, only of man considered…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dd1/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_abrahamism_as-israel-made-the-wants-of-his-national_31284.jpg)
![“Religion annexes to its doctrines a curse and a blessing … Blessed is he that believeth, cursed is he that believeth not. Thus it appeals not to reason, but to feeling, … to the passions of hope and fear. … [T]he fear of hell urges me to believe. Even supposing my belief to be in its origin free…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70b/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_belief_religion-annexes-to-its-doctrines-a-curs_35960.jpg)
![“[T]o think God is therefore to affirm what God is, to establish the being of God as an act. That God is thought, cognised, is essential; that this tree is thought, is to the tree accidental, unessential. … [H]ow is it possible that God – if he is to exist for us, to be an object to us – must…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ef5/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_infinite_t-o-think-god-is-therefore-to-affirm-wha_219124.jpg)
![“The essence of faith … is the idea that that which man wishes actually is: he wishes to be immortal, therefore he is immortal; he wishes for the existence of a being who can do everything which is impossible to Nature and reason, therefore such a being exists[.]” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bb8/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_faith_the-essence-of-faith-is-the-idea-that-th_247786.jpg)
![“[H]eavenly personality, or the perpetuation of human personality in heaven is nothing else than personality released from all earthly encumbrances and limitations[.] [H]ere we are men, there gods[.]” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3a6/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_clinging-to-self_h-eavenly-personality-or-the-perpetuatio_340334.jpg)
![“[A]lthough the deeds opposed to love which mark Christian religious history, are in accordance with Christianity, and its antagonists are therefore right in imputing to it the horrible actions resulting from dogmatic creeds; those deeds nevertheless at the same time contradict Christianity…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6ab/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_accepting-love_a-lthough-the-deeds-opposed-to-love-whic_414411.jpg)
