Christianity Quote by Steven Pinker
““Once again, the point of this discussion is not to accuse Christians of endorsing torture and persecution. Of course most devout Christians today are thoroughly tolerant and humane people. Even those who thunder from televised pulpits do not call for burning heretics alive or hoisting Jews on the strappado. The question is why they don’t, given that their beliefs imply that it would serve the greater good. The answer is that people in the West today compartmentalize their religious ideology. When they affirm their faith in houses of worship, they profess beliefs that have barely changed in two thousand years. But when it comes to their actions, they respect modern norms of nonviolence and toleration, a benevolent hypocrisy for which we should all be grateful.””
About This Quote
Source Article: The Moral Paradox of Modern Christianity, 2015
Western Christians separate ancient religious doctrines from contemporary ethical norms, creating a benign hypocrisy.
In simple terms: Christians separate old beliefs from modern morals.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge and address the gap between belief and action.
Themes
religion
ethics
modernity
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
controversial
When to use this quote
- public policy
- interfaith dialogue
- education curricula
Key Concepts
cognitive dissonance
moral compartmentalization
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do people maintain contradictory beliefs?
- Can true tolerance coexist with doctrinal fidelity?
A Different Perspective
This compartmentalization may undermine authentic moral conviction.
