Accepting Quote by Robert Green Ingersoll
“I know of no crime that has not been defended by the church, in one form or other. The church is not a pioneer; it accepts a new truth, last of all, and only when denial has become useless.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Church and Crime,” 1885
He argues that the church often defends wrongdoing, adapting its stance when denial no longer works.
In simple terms: Church often protects wrongdoing when forced.
Question institutional motives.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- legal debates
- religious reforms
- public policy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Can institutions change without external pressure?
- What drives moral shifts?
Not all religious actions are defensive; many are proactive.