Accepted Quote by Steven Pinker
“After their return from Babylon, the practice of human sacrifice died out among the Jews, but survived as an ideal in one of its break-away sects, which believed that God accepted the torture-sacrifice of an innocent man in exchange for not visiting a worse fate on the rest of humanity. The sect is called Christianity.”
About This Quote
The passage claims Christianity originated from a sect that rationalized human sacrifice as a divine bargain, presenting a controversial historical interpretation.
In simple terms: It suggests Christianity began with a violent, sacrificial belief.
Question historical narratives critically.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- academic study
- interfaith dialogue
- ethical analysis
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence supports this claim?
- How does this view affect modern religious perception?
Interpretation may be oversimplified or biased.