Allies Quote by Robert Barron
“Again, I hear almost everyday from atheists who write off religion as primitive, premodern nonsense. I summon Aquinas, Augustine, Paul [of Tarsus], Teresa of Avila, Joseph Ratzinger, and Edith Stein-in all their intellectual rigor-as allies in the the struggle against this dismissive atheism.”
About This Quote
The quote argues that atheists dismiss religion as outdated, yet the intellectual legacy of major Christian thinkers demonstrates its profound philosophical and theological depth.
In simple terms: Religion is intellectually robust, not primitive.
Historical Christian thought counters simplistic atheism.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- debates on religion's relevance
- academic discussions on faith
- public discourse about atheism
- interfaith dialogues
- educational curricula on philosophy
Key Concepts
Practical Applications
- defending religious ideas in intellectual forums
- using historical theology to inform modern ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the quote imply about the relationship between faith and reason?
- How might acknowledging these thinkers affect contemporary views on religion?