Absurd Quote by Robert G. Ingersoll
““Christians must show that misery fits the good for heaven, while happiness prepares the bad for hell; that the wicked get all their good things in this life, and the good all their evil; that in this world God punishes the people he loves, and in the next, the ones he hates; that happiness makes us bad here, but not in heaven; that pain makes us good here, but not in hell. No matter how absurd these things may appear to the carnal mind, they must be preached and they must be believed. If they were reasonable, there would be no virtue in believing. Even the publicans and sinners believe reasonable things. To believe without evidence, or in spite of it, is accounted as righteousness to the sincere and humble christian. In short, Christians are expected to denounce all pleasant paths and rustling trees, to curse the grass and flowers, and glorify the dust and weeds. They are expected to malign the wicked people in the green and happy fields, who sit and laugh beside the gurgling springs or climb the hills and wander as they will. They are expected to point out the dangers of freedom, the safety of implicit obedience, and to show the wickedness of philosophy, the goodness of faith, the immorality of science and the purity of ignorance.””
About This Quote
Source Book: “The Gods of the Greeks” (lecture series), 1888
The quote satirically critiques how Christianity paradoxically glorifies suffering and condemns happiness, urging believers to accept irrational doctrines.
In simple terms: Christianity often praises suffering over joy.
Question the logic of suffering as virtuous.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- theological debate
- personal belief assessment
- ethical discussions
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you think suffering can be spiritually valuable?
- How does this view affect your faith?
It may generalize Christianity and ignore diverse interpretations.