--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The word miracle, as pronounced by…" description: "\"“The word miracle, as pronounced by Christian churches, gives a false impression; it is a monster. It is not one with the blowing clover and the fallin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/887/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_atheism_the-word-miracle-as-pronounced-by-christ_986923.png" --- # The word miracle, as pronounced by Christian churches… ![“The word miracle, as pronounced by Christian churches, gives a false impression; it is a monster. It is not one with the blowing clover and the falling rain.” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/887/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_atheism_the-word-miracle-as-pronounced-by-christ_986923.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/887/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_atheism_the-word-miracle-as-pronounced-by-christ_986923.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/887/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_atheism_the-word-miracle-as-pronounced-by-christ_986923.png) > ““The word miracle, as pronounced by Christian churches, gives a false impression; it is a monster. It is not one with the blowing clover and the falling rain.”” [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Emerson critiques the religious misuse of “miracle,” seeing it as a distorted, monstrous concept rather than a natural wonder. **In simple terms:** He says “miracle” is misused by churches, turning it into something frightening. Key Takeaway Question language and avoid sensationalism. Themes religion language philosophy Mood critical thoughtful Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - theology debates - public speaking - educational curricula - media analysis - personal belief assessment Key Concepts semantic distortion mythmaking Questions to Reflect On - How does language shape our perception of the divine? - Can “miracle” be redefined without losing its impact? A Different Perspective The term can inspire awe when reclaimed positively. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Christian church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-church/) [Christian Churches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-churches-1225054/) [Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church/) [Clovers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clovers/) [Fall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fall/) [False](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/false/) [False Impression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/false-impression/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Impression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impression/) [Miracle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miracle/) [Miracle Pronounced](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miracle-pronounced-1996426/) [Miracles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miracles/) [Monster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monster/) [Monsters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monsters/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Positive atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-atheism/) [Rain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rain/) [Word Miracle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/word-miracle-1986674/) ## Related quotes > [The Christian churches and Christianity have nothing in common save in name: they are utterly hostile opposites. The churches are arrogance, violence, usurpation, rigidity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-christian-churches-and-christianity-have-nothing-in-common-save/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The Christian churches were offered two things: the spirit of Jesus and the idiotic morality of Paul, and they rejected the higher inspiration... Following…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-harris/the-christian-churches-were-offered-two-things-the-spirit-of-jesus/) [Frank Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-harris/) > [The study of theology, as it stands in the Christian churches, is the study of nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/the-study-of-theology-as-it-stands-in-the-christian-churches-is-the-2/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Half the Christian churches of New York are trying to ruin the free public schools in order to replace them by religious dogma.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/half-the-christian-churches-of-new-york-are-trying-to-ruin-the-free/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [“All Christian churches in China practice some form of healing, including Three-Self churches. In fact, according to some surveys, 90% of new believers cite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-s-keener/all-christian-churches-in-china-practice-some-form-of-healing/) [Craig S. Keener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-s-keener/) > [“The Christian churches were probably the only communion in antiquity that had no special place of worship but rather came together in the places…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moynagh/the-christian-churches-were-probably-the-only-communion-in-antiquity/) [Michael Moynagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moynagh/) > [“I know there's a word called "miracle". But I don't know if there's a meaning inside the word, "miracle”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-soo/i-know-there-s-a-word-called-miracle-but-i-don-t-know-if-there-s-a/) [Dante Soo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-soo/) > [If ever there was a slamming of the door in the face of constructive investigation, it is the word miracle. To a medieval peasant,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/if-ever-there-was-a-slamming-of-the-door-in-the-face-of-constructive/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [Let me say something about that word: miracle. For too long it's been used to characterize things or events that, though pleasant, are entirely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leif-enger/let-me-say-something-about-that-word-miracle-for-too-long-it-s-been-2/) [Leif Enger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leif-enger/) > [“Let me say something about that word: miracle. For too long it's been used to characterize things or events that, though pleasant, are entirely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leif-enger/let-me-say-something-about-that-word-miracle-for-too-long-it-s-been/) [Leif Enger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leif-enger/) > [One of the remarkable things about being 19 is that you can break open a case of warm beer at midnight and still be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-letterman/one-of-the-remarkable-things-about-being-19-is-that-you-can-break/) [David Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-letterman/) > [Vodka and seven straight to my brain, put me under false impressions, hide all my pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prince/vodka-and-seven-straight-to-my-brain-put-me-under-false-impressions/) [Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prince/) > [I'm a born music lover and want to sing for all music composers as well but due to some false impression many makers feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ankit-tiwari/i-m-a-born-music-lover-and-want-to-sing-for-all-music-composers-as/) [Ankit Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ankit-tiwari/) > [People who say they're too busy to have lunch have a false impression of their own importance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-howard/people-who-say-they-re-too-busy-to-have-lunch-have-a-false-impression/) [John Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-howard/) > [“Immeasurably imperfect it was, but false the impression could not be, for she saw with the eyes made for seeing, and saw indeed what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/immeasurably-imperfect-it-was-but-false-the-impression-could-not-be/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) ## More by Ralph Waldo Emerson > [The history of mankind interests us only as it exhibits a steady gain of truth and right, in the incessant conflict which it records…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-history-of-mankind-interests-us-only-as-it-exhibits-a-steady-gain/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If we will not interfere with our thought, but will act entirely, or see how the thing stands in God, we know the particular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-we-will-not-interfere-with-our-thought-but-will-act-entirely-or/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A man cannot speak but he judges himself. With his will or against his will he draws his portrait to the eye of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-man-cannot-speak-but-he-judges-himself-with-his-will-or-against-his/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Consideration is the soil in which wisdom may be expected to grow, and strength be given to every up-springing plant of duty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/consideration-is-the-soil-in-which-wisdom-may-be-expected-to-grow-and/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“There is then creative reading as well as creative writing. When the mind is braced by labor and invention, the page of whatever book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/there-is-then-creative-reading-as-well-as-creative-writing-when-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The order of things consents to virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-order-of-things-consents-to-virtue/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Life only avails, not the having lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/life-only-avails-not-the-having-lived/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Another success is the post-office, with its educating energy augmented by cheapness and guarded by a certain religious sentimentin mankind; so that the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/another-success-is-the-post-office-with-its-educating-energy/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A child reminds us that playtime is an essential part of our daily routine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-child-reminds-us-that-playtime-is-an-essential-part-of-our-daily/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [No man can be criticised but by a greater than he. Do not, then, read the reviews.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/no-man-can-be-criticised-but-by-a-greater-than-he-do-not-then-read/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Coal lay in ledges under the ground since the Flood, until a laborer with pick and windlass brings it to the surface. We may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/coal-lay-in-ledges-under-the-ground-since-the-flood-until-a-laborer/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I am; therefore, I had nothing better to do than to think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/i-am-therefore-i-had-nothing-better-to-do-than-to-think/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [In a library we are surrounded by many hundreds of dear friends, but they are imprisoned by an enchanter in these paper and leathern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/in-a-library-we-are-surrounded-by-many-hundreds-of-dear-friends-but/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The compensations of calamity are made apparent to the understanding also, after long intervals of time. A fever, a mutilation, a cruel disappointment, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-compensations-of-calamity-are-made-apparent-to-the-understanding/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) [Explore all 4,802 Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## More Atheism quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [No philosophy, no religion, has ever brought so glad a message to the world as this good news of Atheism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-besant/no-philosophy-no-religion-has-ever-brought-so-glad-a-message-to-the/) [Annie Besant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-besant/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [God speaks through me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/god-speaks-through-me/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [You cannot ... transmute some incoherent mixture of words into sense merely by introducing the three-letter word "God" to be its grammatical subject.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-flew/you-cannot-transmute-some-incoherent-mixture-of-words-into-sense/) [Antony Flew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-flew/) > [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/) [Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/) > [If, with all the time at my disposal, with all the wealth of the resources of this vast universe, to do with as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/if-with-all-the-time-at-my-disposal-with-all-the-wealth-of-the/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [Do you think that was kind? Do you think it was godlike? What would you think of a physician, if a woman came to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-h-gardener/do-you-think-that-was-kind-do-you-think-it-was-godlike-what-would-you/) [Helen H. Gardener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-h-gardener/) > [Science can destroy religion by ignoring it as well as by disproving its tenets. No one ever demonstrated, so far as I am aware,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-c-clarke/science-can-destroy-religion-by-ignoring-it-as-well-as-by-disproving/) [Arthur C. Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-c-clarke/) > [Honest investigation is utterly impossible within the pale of any church, for the reason, that if you think the church is right you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/honest-investigation-is-utterly-impossible-within-the-pale-of-any/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) [Browse all 4,769 Atheism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The word miracle, as pronounced by Christian churches, gives a false impression; it is a monster. It is not one with the blowing clover and the falling rain.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ralph Waldo Emerson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-word-miracle-as-pronounced-by-christian-churches-gives-a-false/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Atheism" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-word-miracle-as-pronounced-by-christian-churches-gives-a-false/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/887/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_atheism_the-word-miracle-as-pronounced-by-christ_986923.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/887/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_atheism_the-word-miracle-as-pronounced-by-christ_986923.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/887/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_atheism_the-word-miracle-as-pronounced-by-christ_986923.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The word miracle, as pronounced by Christian churches, gives a false impression; it is a monster. It is not…” — Ralph Waldo Emerson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ralph Waldo Emerson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“The word miracle, as pronounced by...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-word-miracle-as-pronounced-by-christian-churches-gives-a-false/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-word-miracle-as-pronounced-by-christian-churches-gives-a-false/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```