Crucified Quote by Penelope Lively
““God shall have a starring role in my history of the world. How could it be otherwise? If He exists, then He is responsible for the whole marvellous appalling narrative. If He does not, then the very proposition that He might have killed more people and exercised more minds than anything else. He dominates the stage. In His name has been devised the rack, the thumbscrew, the Iron Maiden, the stake; for Him have people been crucified, flayed alive, fried, boiled, flattened; He has generated the Crusades, the pogroms, the Inquisition and more wars than I can number. But for Him there would not be the St Mathews Passion, the works of Michelangelo and Chartres Cathedral.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Old Devils, 2005
The quote argues that if God exists, He is the ultimate cause of both great evil and great art, suggesting humanity’s history is shaped by divine influence.
In simple terms: If God exists, He’s behind both cruelty and creativity.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the dual impact of belief on culture.
Themes
theology
history
art
violence
philosophy
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
analytical
controversial
When to use this quote
- debates on religion
- art criticism
- historical analysis
- ethical discussions
Key Concepts
Divine agency
moral responsibility
human agency
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it fair to blame God for human atrocities?
- How does belief in a deity affect artistic expression?
A Different Perspective
Attributing all events to a deity oversimplifies complex human motivations.
