--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If men were but to read the New Testament…" description: "\"If men were but to read the New Testament with the same tone and emphasis, with which they do other books, and were to keep out of mind the idea of its..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fd/lysander-spooner-3260_being_if-men-were-but-to-read-the-new-testamen_2470551.jpg" --- # If men were but to read the New Testament with the same… ![“If men were but to read the New Testament with the same tone and emphasis, with which they do other books, and were to keep out of mind the idea of its being sacred, they would be disgusted with the credulity, and the want of intellect, reason and judgment, that is apparent in it.” quote by Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fd/lysander-spooner-3260_being_if-men-were-but-to-read-the-new-testamen_2470551.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fd/lysander-spooner-3260_being_if-men-were-but-to-read-the-new-testamen_2470551.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fd/lysander-spooner-3260_being_if-men-were-but-to-read-the-new-testamen_2470551.jpg) > “If men were but to read the New Testament with the same tone and emphasis, with which they do other books, and were to keep out of mind the idea of its being sacred, they would be disgusted with the credulity, and the want of intellect, reason and judgment, that is apparent in it.” [Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reading the New Testament without reverence reveals its logical flaws and lack of intellectual rigor. **In simple terms:** Approaching scripture critically shows its shortcomings. Key Takeaway Apply critical thinking to all texts. Themes religion critical thinking intellectual rigor skepticism scripture analysis Mood skeptical inquisitive analytical Type philosophical theological educational When to use this quote - theological study - academic debate - personal belief assessment - education curricula Key Concepts philosophy of religion epistemology literary criticism Questions to Reflect On - What role does faith play in interpreting texts? - How does reverence affect critical analysis? A Different Perspective Some may argue reverence is essential for spiritual insight. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Credulity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/credulity/) [Credulity Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/credulity-want-756591/) [Disgusted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disgusted/) [Disgusted Credulity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disgusted-credulity-756589/) [Emphasis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emphasis/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Intellect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intellect/) [Judgment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judgment/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-read-559641/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [New](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new/) [New testament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-testament/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Sacred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacred/) [Sacred Disgusted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacred-disgusted-756590/) [Testament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/testament/) [Tone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tone/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Would be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/would-be/) ## Related quotes > [“I believe all this, and much, much more, because I guess it is my duty to. 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