Accepting Quote by Saul Alinsky
“I prize my own independence too much. And philosophically, I could never accept any rigid dogma or ideology, whether it's Christianity or Marxism…The greatest crimes in history have been perpetrated by such religious and political and racial fanatics, from the persecutions of the Inquisition on down to Communist purges and Nazi genocide.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Rules for Radicals, Saul Alinsky, 1971
Independence is valued over any fixed belief system, warning that extreme ideologies cause historic atrocities.
In simple terms: Value freedom, reject rigid dogma.
Question dogma, seek truth.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- activism
- education
- policy making
- personal decision making
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance personal freedom with collective responsibility?
- Can any ideology be truly neutral?
Rigid beliefs can provide community and purpose for some.