--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Moderates in every faith are obliged to…" description: "\"“Moderates in every faith are obliged to loosely interpret (or simply ignore) much of their canons in the interests of living in the modern world. [......" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b44/sam-harris-457_bible_moderates-in-every-faith-are-obliged-to_6967.jpg" --- # Moderates in every faith are obliged to loosely interpret… ![“Moderates in every faith are obliged to loosely interpret (or simply ignore) much of their canons in the interests of living in the modern world. [...] The first thing to observe about the moderate’s retreat from scriptural literalism is that it draws its inspiration not from scripture but from…” quote by Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b44/sam-harris-457_bible_moderates-in-every-faith-are-obliged-to_6967.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b44/sam-harris-457_bible_moderates-in-every-faith-are-obliged-to_6967.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b44/sam-harris-457_bible_moderates-in-every-faith-are-obliged-to_6967.jpg) > ““Moderates in every faith are obliged to loosely interpret (or simply ignore) much of their canons in the interests of living in the modern world. \[...\] The first thing to observe about the moderate’s retreat from scriptural literalism is that it draws its inspiration not from scripture but from cultural developments that have rendered many of God’s utterances difficult to accept as written.”” [Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-harris/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage argues that religious moderates must reinterpret or set aside traditional doctrines to align faith with contemporary cultural realities, indicating that such flexibility stems from societal shifts rather than scriptural authority. **In simple terms:** Moderates adapt faith to modern culture. Key Takeaway Cultural change drives doctrinal flexibility. Themes Modernity Interpretation Religion Cultural Influence Authority Adaptation Mood Reflective Critical Contemplative Type Philosophical Theological Sociocultural When to use this quote - Interfaith dialogue - Theological education - Policy making on religious freedom - Community counseling - Media commentary Key Concepts Secularism Literalism Cultural Relativism Faith Practice Practical Applications - Developing inclusive religious curricula - Designing faith‑based social programs Questions to Reflect On - How does cultural pressure reshape religious belief? - What are the risks of abandoning literal interpretations? A Different Perspective Some argue that core doctrines must remain immutable to preserve religious identity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Literalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/literalism/) [Modern world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern-world/) ## Related quotes > [“Moderates in every faith are obliged to loosely interpret (or simply ignore) much of their canons in the interests of living in the modern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-harris/moderates-in-every-faith-are-obliged-to-loosely-interpret-or-simply-2/) [Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-harris/) > [“The doors leading out of scriptural literalism do not open from the inside. 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I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [My spiritual evolution I would describe as journey from literalism to figuratism. I now see all religious texts as pointing to an ineffable truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-rowe/my-spiritual-evolution-i-would-describe-as-journey-from-literalism-to/) [Maggie Rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-rowe/) ## More by Sam Harris > [There is no question but that nominally religious scientists like Francis Collins and Kenneth R. 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