Approach Quote by Philip K. Dick
“God can be good and terrible-not in succession-but at the same time. This is why we seek a mediator between us and him; we approach him through the mediating priest and attenuate and enclose him through the sacraments. It is for our own safety: to trap him within confines which render him safe.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: VALIS, 1981
Humanity tries to control divine power through rituals, but this limits true understanding.
In simple terms: People use religion to tame God.
Key Takeaway
Seek direct experience over mediated belief.
Themes
faith
theology
human control
Mood
reflective
skeptical
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- personal spirituality
- philosophical inquiry
- religious practice
Key Concepts
mediator
sacraments
divine mystery
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to truly encounter the divine?
- Can rituals ever fully contain the sacred?
A Different Perspective
Mediated belief can obscure personal insight.
