Christianity Quote by Steven Pinker
““Institutionalized torture in Christendom was not just an unthinking habit; it had a moral rationale. If you really believe that failing to accept Jesus as one's savior is a ticket to fiery damnation, then torturing a person until he acknowledges this truth is doing him the biggest favor of his life: better a few hours now than an eternity later.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker, 2011
The quote argues that religiously of justify torture by claiming it saves souls from eternal punishment.
In simple terms: Religion can be used to rationalize cruelty.
Key Takeaway
Question the moral logic behind harming others for belief.
Themes
ethics
religion
violence
morality
Mood
critical
thoughtful
serious
Type
ethical
philosophical
controversial
When to use this quote
- historical analysis
- human rights advocacy
- theological debate
- policy making
Key Concepts
utilitarianism
theodicy
psychology of belief
Questions to Reflect On
- Is suffering justified if it prevents greater suffering?
- How do we balance belief with human rights?
A Different Perspective
Such reasoning ignores individual autonomy and can be misused for oppression.
