Children Quote by Milan Kundera
““Spontaneously, without any theological training, I, a child, grasped the incompatibility of God and shit and thus came to question the basic thesis of Christian anthropology, namely that man was created in God's image. Either/or: either man was created in God's image - and has intestines! - or God lacks intestines and man is not like him. The ancient Gnostics felt as I did at the age of five. In the second century, the Great Gnostic master Valentinus resolved the damnable dilemma by claiming that Jesus "ate and drank, but did not defecate." Shit is a more onerous theological problem than is evil. Since God gave man freedom, we can, if need be, accept the idea that He is not responsible for man's crimes. The responsibility for shit, however, rests entirely with Him, the creator of man.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Trouble with God, 1995
The author uses bodily functions as a metaphor to critique theological doctrines that ignore human physicality, highlighting tension between divine perfection and human imperfection.
In simple terms: God and humans differ in physical reality, causing theological conflict.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the limits of abstract theology.
Themes
theology
humanity
paradox
Mood
skeptical
irreverent
Type
philosophical
satirical
When to use this quote
- religious debate
- philosophical discussion
- ethical education
- personal belief
- humor in critique
Key Concepts
existentialism
skepticism
body vs spirit
Questions to Reflect On
- How do physical realities shape spiritual beliefs?
- Can theology accommodate human imperfection?
A Different Perspective
The analogy may be seen as flippant, reducing complex doctrine to bodily humor.
