Church Quote by Robert G. Ingersoll
““The doctrine of eternal punishment is in perfect harmony with the savagery of the men who made the orthodox creeds. It is in harmony with torture, with flaying alive, and with burnings. The men who burned their fellow-men for a moment, believed that God would burn his enemies forever.””
About This Quote
Source Lecture: Atheism and Moral Philosophy, Robert G. Ingersoll, 1885
The statement argues that the concept of eternal punishment aligns with human cruelty and justifies violent practices historically used by religious authorities.
In simple terms: Eternal punishment mirrors human cruelty.
Question the moral basis of punitive doctrines.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- legal reform
- secular education
- human rights advocacy
- theological debate
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What alternative moral frameworks can replace eternal punishment?
- How does belief in divine justice affect societal behavior?
Religious texts can be interpreted differently, offering non-violent perspectives.