Evidence Quote by Robert G. Ingersoll
““The founder of a religion must be able to turn water into wine -- cure with a word the blind and lame, and raise with a simple touch the dead to life. It was necessary for him to demonstrate to the satisfaction of his barbarian disciple, that he was superior to nature. In times of ignorance this was easy to do. The credulity of the savage was almost boundless. To him the marvelous was the beautiful, the mysterious was the sublime. Consequently, every religion has for its foundation a miracle -- that is to say, a violation of nature -- that is to say, a falsehood. No one, in the world's whole history, ever attempted to substantiate a truth by a miracle. Truth scorns the assistance of a miracle. Nothing but falsehood ever attested itself by signs and wonders. No miracle ever was performed, and no sane man ever thought he had performed one, and until one is performed, there can be no evidence of the existence of any power superior to, and independent of, nature.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Athe of Religion, Robert G. Ingersoll, 1885
Miracles are false claims that violate nature; truth stands without supernatural proof.
In simple terms: Miracles are false; truth needs no miracles.
Seek evidence, not wonder.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- religious debate
- scientific inquiry
- philosophical discussion
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you think miracles can be metaphorical?
- How does belief affect perception of truth?
Some find comfort in miracles, despite lack of proof.