--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's the deep, fundamental bedrock of…" description: "\"“It's the deep, fundamental bedrock of hypocrisy upon which religion is founded. Consider: no creature can be said to worship if it does not possess fr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c9/robert-sheckley-14086_free-will_it-s-the-deep-fundamental-bedrock-of-hyp_896116.png" --- # It's the deep, fundamental bedrock of hypocrisy upon which… ![“It's the deep, fundamental bedrock of hypocrisy upon which religion is founded. Consider: no creature can be said to worship if it does not possess free will. Free will, however, is FREE. And just by virtue of being free, is intractable and incalculable, a truly Godlike gift, the faculty that…” quote by Robert Sheckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c9/robert-sheckley-14086_free-will_it-s-the-deep-fundamental-bedrock-of-hyp_896116.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c9/robert-sheckley-14086_free-will_it-s-the-deep-fundamental-bedrock-of-hyp_896116.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c9/robert-sheckley-14086_free-will_it-s-the-deep-fundamental-bedrock-of-hyp_896116.png) > ““It's the deep, fundamental bedrock of hypocrisy upon which religion is founded. Consider: no creature can be said to worship if it does not possess free will. Free will, however, is FREE. And just by virtue of being free, is intractable and incalculable, a truly Godlike gift, the faculty that makes a state of freedom possible. To exist in a state of freedom is a wild, strange thing, and was clearly intended as such. But what to the religions do with this? They say, "Very well, you possess free will; but now you must use your free will to enslave yourself to God and to us." The effrontery of it! God, who would not coerce a fly, is painted as a supreme slavemaster! In the fact of this, any creature with spirit must rebel, must serve God entirely of his own will and volition, or must not serve him at all, thus remaining true to himself and to the faculties God has given him.”” [Robert Sheckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-sheckley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Religion claims free will but then demands obedience, creating a paradox that forces believers to choose between authentic self‑governance and imposed servitude. **In simple terms:** Religion asks for free will yet demands submission, creating a conflict. Key Takeaway Question authority, honor true freedom. Themes religion free will authority rebellion Mood critical provocative thought‑provoking Type philosophical skeptical When to use this quote - personal faith decisions - political activism - social movements Key Concepts philosophy theology ethics Questions to Reflect On - Do you see value in structured belief? - How does free will shape moral responsibility? A Different Perspective May overlook positive community aspects of faith. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enslave God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enslave-god-1196198/) [Free will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-will/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [God Coerce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-coerce-1196200/) [Hypocrisy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hypocrisy/) [Hypocrisy Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hypocrisy-religion-1196199/) [Intended Religions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intended-religions-1196201/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Your true nature doesn't come out. So the gods let you do what you want because free will would be compromised if they showed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tarsem-singh/your-true-nature-doesn-t-come-out-so-the-gods-let-you-do-what-you/) [Tarsem Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tarsem-singh/) > [“We are built to desire free will and to choose our own destiny. It's not about being right or wrong; it's about the celebration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deiamor-verus/we-are-built-to-desire-free-will-and-to-choose-our-own-destiny-it-s/) [DeiAmor Verus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deiamor-verus/) > [I know we can each do something, however small that act may seem to be. We can pay an honest tithe and give our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/i-know-we-can-each-do-something-however-small-that-act-may-seem-to-be/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [They either attach themselves to God's will, which results in their continuous progress, improvement and advancement, or they oppose God's will, are justly subjected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-palamas/they-either-attach-themselves-to-god-s-will-which-results-in-their/) [Gregory Palamas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-palamas/) > [“Most people live life on the path we set for them. Too afraid to explore any other. But once in a while people like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-adjustment-bureau/most-people-live-life-on-the-path-we-set-for-them-too-afraid-to/) [The Adjustment Bureau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-adjustment-bureau/) > [I believe in free will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessa-crispin/i-believe-in-free-will/) [Jessa Crispin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessa-crispin/) > [“There is a big park in the middle of the locality. Surrounded by at least 50 houses. That those residents got to live in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-paula/there-is-a-big-park-in-the-middle-of-the-locality-surrounded-by-at/) [Andy Paula](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-paula/) > [“Mastema prefers absolutes. He wants fences on the world and everything in its place, neat and tidy as a churchyard garden. God is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirby-crow/mastema-prefers-absolutes-he-wants-fences-on-the-world-and-everything/) [Kirby Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirby-crow/) > [“The answer to the question raised in the title of this essay - Is salvation a matter of divine determination or human responsibility? -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/layton-talbert/the-answer-to-the-question-raised-in-the-title-of-this-essay-is/) [Layton Talbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/layton-talbert/) > [The goal of the Creator is for each entity to make a conscious choice to again seek Oneness, out of our own free will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wilcock/the-goal-of-the-creator-is-for-each-entity-to-make-a-conscious-choice/) [David Wilcock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wilcock/) > [Only when he voluntarily chooses that which he inexorably must do, has man any free will at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/only-when-he-voluntarily-chooses-that-which-he-inexorably-must-do-has/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [All theory is against free will; all experience is for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/all-theory-is-against-free-will-all-experience-is-for-it/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“Failing to meet your true destiny is a tragic act of free will.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthon-st-maarten/failing-to-meet-your-true-destiny-is-a-tragic-act-of-free-will/) [Anthon St. Maarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthon-st-maarten/) > [“Christianity would be helpless without the idea of free will and the idea of free will would be helpless without incongruity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kedar-joshi/christianity-would-be-helpless-without-the-idea-of-free-will-and-the/) [Kedar Joshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kedar-joshi/) ## More by Robert Sheckley > [Why in God's name should a God be praised if he is only performing his Godly function?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sheckley/why-in-god-s-name-should-a-god-be-praised-if-he-is-only-performing/) [Robert Sheckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-sheckley/) > [I don't finish every story, but I probably write and send out three out of five of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sheckley/i-don-t-finish-every-story-but-i-probably-write-and-send-out-three/) [Robert Sheckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-sheckley/) > [Wherever you go in the galaxy, you can find a food business, a house-building business, a war business, a peace business, a governing business,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sheckley/wherever-you-go-in-the-galaxy-you-can-find-a-food-business-a-house/) [Robert Sheckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-sheckley/) > [“You must realize, Mr. Blaine, that a man is not his body, for he receives his body accidentally. He is not his skills, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sheckley/you-must-realize-mr-blaine-that-a-man-is-not-his-body-for-he-receives/) [Robert Sheckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-sheckley/) > [“But that's crazy, " George said. "How can I be the Average American Man? I'm only five foot eight and my name is Blaxter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sheckley/but-that-s-crazy-george-said-how-can-i-be-the-average-american-man-i/) [Robert Sheckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-sheckley/) > [I knew I was doing something right because it was selling so I didn't want to interfere with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sheckley/i-knew-i-was-doing-something-right-because-it-was-selling-so-i-didn-t/) [Robert Sheckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-sheckley/) > [“She was an extremely attractive woman if you liked the type, which could best be described as homicidal schizophrenic paranoiac with kittenish overtones.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sheckley/she-was-an-extremely-attractive-woman-if-you-liked-the-type-which/) [Robert Sheckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-sheckley/) > [I'm not too fond of the hard work and the constant battle with self-doubt that goes on when I write, but I figure that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sheckley/i-m-not-too-fond-of-the-hard-work-and-the-constant-battle-with-self/) [Robert Sheckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-sheckley/) > [I sell well now in Russia. I remember one signing in Russia some years ago where the bookstore had two strongmen to hold the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sheckley/i-sell-well-now-in-russia-i-remember-one-signing-in-russia-some-years/) [Robert Sheckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-sheckley/) > [So I wrote what I hoped would be science fiction, I was not at all sure if what I wrote would be acceptable even.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sheckley/so-i-wrote-what-i-hoped-would-be-science-fiction-i-was-not-at-all/) [Robert Sheckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-sheckley/) > [I was forever reading outside of the field as well as in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sheckley/i-was-forever-reading-outside-of-the-field-as-well-as-in-it/) [Robert Sheckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-sheckley/) > [I'm quite influenced in this by one of my heroes, Montaigne, who thought a man's real task was to render as honest an account…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sheckley/i-m-quite-influenced-in-this-by-one-of-my-heroes-montaigne-who/) [Robert Sheckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-sheckley/) > [Ethical and questions of philosophy interest me a great deal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sheckley/ethical-and-questions-of-philosophy-interest-me-a-great-deal/) [Robert Sheckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-sheckley/) > [It is a truism throughout the civilized galaxy that when you go to the police, your troubles really begin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sheckley/it-is-a-truism-throughout-the-civilized-galaxy-that-when-you-go-to/) [Robert Sheckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-sheckley/) > [“When you have a project, do it exactly as you see fit; then fit the facts around the event, not the other way around.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sheckley/when-you-have-a-project-do-it-exactly-as-you-see-fit-then-fit-the/) [Robert Sheckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-sheckley/) [Explore all 47 Robert Sheckley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-sheckley/) ## More Free will quotes > [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“Failing to meet your true destiny is a tragic act of free will.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthon-st-maarten/failing-to-meet-your-true-destiny-is-a-tragic-act-of-free-will/) [Anthon St. Maarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthon-st-maarten/) > [All theory is against free will; all experience is for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/all-theory-is-against-free-will-all-experience-is-for-it/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Only when he voluntarily chooses that which he inexorably must do, has man any free will at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/only-when-he-voluntarily-chooses-that-which-he-inexorably-must-do-has/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The goal of the Creator is for each entity to make a conscious choice to again seek Oneness, out of our own free will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wilcock/the-goal-of-the-creator-is-for-each-entity-to-make-a-conscious-choice/) [David Wilcock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wilcock/) > [“The answer to the question raised in the title of this essay - Is salvation a matter of divine determination or human responsibility? -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/layton-talbert/the-answer-to-the-question-raised-in-the-title-of-this-essay-is/) [Layton Talbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/layton-talbert/) > [“Mastema prefers absolutes. He wants fences on the world and everything in its place, neat and tidy as a churchyard garden. God is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirby-crow/mastema-prefers-absolutes-he-wants-fences-on-the-world-and-everything/) [Kirby Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirby-crow/) > [“There is a big park in the middle of the locality. Surrounded by at least 50 houses. That those residents got to live in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-paula/there-is-a-big-park-in-the-middle-of-the-locality-surrounded-by-at/) [Andy Paula](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-paula/) > [I believe in free will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessa-crispin/i-believe-in-free-will/) [Jessa Crispin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessa-crispin/) > [“Most people live life on the path we set for them. Too afraid to explore any other. But once in a while people like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-adjustment-bureau/most-people-live-life-on-the-path-we-set-for-them-too-afraid-to/) [The Adjustment Bureau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-adjustment-bureau/) > [They either attach themselves to God's will, which results in their continuous progress, improvement and advancement, or they oppose God's will, are justly subjected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-palamas/they-either-attach-themselves-to-god-s-will-which-results-in-their/) [Gregory Palamas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-palamas/) > [I know we can each do something, however small that act may seem to be. We can pay an honest tithe and give our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/i-know-we-can-each-do-something-however-small-that-act-may-seem-to-be/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [“We are built to desire free will and to choose our own destiny. It's not about being right or wrong; it's about the celebration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deiamor-verus/we-are-built-to-desire-free-will-and-to-choose-our-own-destiny-it-s/) [DeiAmor Verus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deiamor-verus/) > [Your true nature doesn't come out. So the gods let you do what you want because free will would be compromised if they showed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tarsem-singh/your-true-nature-doesn-t-come-out-so-the-gods-let-you-do-what-you/) [Tarsem Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tarsem-singh/) > [“Christianity would be helpless without the idea of free will and the idea of free will would be helpless without incongruity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kedar-joshi/christianity-would-be-helpless-without-the-idea-of-free-will-and-the/) [Kedar Joshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kedar-joshi/) [Browse all 877 Free will quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-will/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It's the deep, fundamental bedrock of hypocrisy upon which religion is founded. Consider: no creature can be said to worship if it does not possess free will. Free will, however, is FREE. 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