Bible Quote by Steven Pinker
““Religious people today, compartmentalize their attitude to the Bible. They pay it lip service as a symbol of morality while getting their actual morality from more modern principles.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Enlightenment Now, Steven Pinker, 2018
Critiques modern religious morality as symbolic, suggesting ethics stem from secular ideas.
In simple terms: Religion often symbolic; ethics secular.
Key Takeaway
Examine sources of your moral beliefs.
Themes
morality
religion
secularism
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
inquisitive
When to use this quote
- public policy debates
- education curricula
- personal belief formation
Key Concepts
ethical foundations
cultural critique
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you separate symbolic and practical morality?
- How do secular principles shape your ethics?
A Different Perspective
May generalize all religious individuals.
