Buddhism Quote by Philip Wylie
““Light was the symbol I tried to give them...The Cross was the symbol they adopted. The pain of self-sacrifice was obvious to them. The subjective reward--incomprehensible. Thus they changed it all. I told them of many mansions. They chose this mansion or that--scoured each other off the earth, to set one heaven in place of the heaven of those they defeated. Holy wars! Is such a thing conceivable to God as a holy war? Alas. The words--the images--the effort is still uncomprehended. I said Light. I said truth. I said Freedom. I meant enlightenment. Yet nearly every church that uses my name is a wall against light and a rampart against enlightenment, using fear, not love, to chain the generations in terror and pain and ignorance . . . And now--this is called civilization, and in my name, also!””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Disappearance, by Philip Wylie, 1914
The author laments that religious institutions have twisted the ideals of light, truth, and freedom into oppressive forces that oppose enlightenment and perpetuate fear.
In simple terms: Religion can become a barrier to true enlightenment.
Key Takeaway
Question institutions that claim to promote light but spread fear.
Themes
religion
power
corruption
enlightenment
freedom
Mood
conflicted
critical
hopeful
Type
philosophical
social commentary
When to use this quote
- church leadership
- political movements
- education systems
- personal belief formation
Key Concepts
theology
social control
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you distinguish genuine spiritual guidance from oppressive doctrine?
- Can faith be reformed without abandoning tradition?
A Different Perspective
Religious institutions may also provide community and moral guidance.
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