Breathtaking Quote by Richard Dawkins
“In medieval times, the Church used to sell 'indulgences' for money. This amounted to paying for some number of days' remission from purgatory, and the Church literally (and with breathtaking presumption) issued signed certificates specifying the number of days off that had been purchased. . . . And of all its money-making rip-offs, the selling of indulgences must surely rank among the greatest con tricks in history. . . .”
About This Quote
Source Historical: Catholic Church practices, 13th‑16th centuries, indulgences sold for remission of purgatory
The Church exploited believers by monetizing spiritual forgiveness, turning salvation into a commercial transaction
In simple terms: Selling forgiveness turned faith into profit
Key Takeaway
Beware of exploiting belief for profit
Themes
exploitation
religion
corruption
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
historical
analytical
When to use this quote
- religious reform
- financial scams
- modern fundraising
- consumer protection
Key Concepts
theology
economics
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does monetizing belief affect societal values?
- What safeguards prevent similar exploitation today?
A Different Perspective
Such practices erode trust and can lead to systemic abuse
