--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The freethinker has the same right to…" description: "\"The freethinker has the same right to discredit the beliefs of Christians that the Orthodox Christians enjoy in destroying reverence, respect, and conf..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/683/theodore-schroeder-79333_atheism_the-freethinker-has-the-same-right-to-di_2095174.png" --- # The freethinker has the same right to discredit the… ![“The freethinker has the same right to discredit the beliefs of Christians that the Orthodox Christians enjoy in destroying reverence, respect, and confidence in Mohammedanism, Mormonism, Christian Science, or Atheism.” quote by Theodore Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/683/theodore-schroeder-79333_atheism_the-freethinker-has-the-same-right-to-di_2095174.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/683/theodore-schroeder-79333_atheism_the-freethinker-has-the-same-right-to-di_2095174.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/683/theodore-schroeder-79333_atheism_the-freethinker-has-the-same-right-to-di_2095174.png) > “The freethinker has the same right to discredit the beliefs of Christians that the Orthodox Christians enjoy in destroying reverence, respect, and confidence in Mohammedanism, Mormonism, Christian Science, or Atheism.” [Theodore Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-schroeder/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author argues that freethinkers should have equal right to critique all religions, mirroring the freedom Christians have to challenge each other. **In simple terms:** Freethinkers can criticize any faith equally. Key Takeaway Defend equal critique rights. Themes freedom of speech religious critique equality Mood critical thought‑provoking Type philosophical controversial When to use this quote - public debate - academic discourse - online forums Key Concepts secularism pluralism intellectual honesty Questions to Reflect On - Is criticism always constructive? - How to balance critique with respect? A Different Perspective Critique can become disrespectful or hateful. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Christian science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-science/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Destroying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destroying/) [Destroying Reverence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destroying-reverence-4159339/) [Discredit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discredit/) [Discredit Beliefs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discredit-beliefs-4159337/) [Enjoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enjoy/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Freethinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freethinker/) [Freethinker Right](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freethinker-right-4159338/) [Mormonism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mormonism/) [Orthodox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/orthodox/) [Orthodox christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/orthodox-christian/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Reverence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reverence/) ## Related quotes > [“The only word these corporations know is more,” wrote Chris Hedges, former correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor, National Public Radio, and the New York…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-marrs/the-only-word-these-corporations-know-is-more-wrote-chris-hedges/) [Jim Marrs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-marrs/) > [As an adult after college and as an artist I thought about what was real, what sustained me - it was Christian Science. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfre-woodard/as-an-adult-after-college-and-as-an-artist-i-thought-about-what-was/) [Alfre Woodard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfre-woodard/) > [Christian Science has been enormously influential in our religious history, and the church is very powerful. It has won an extraordinary number of legal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-fraser/christian-science-has-been-enormously-influential-in-our-religious/) [Caroline Fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-fraser/) > [A missional theology...appl ies to the whole of life of every believer. Every disciple is to be an agent of the kingdom of God,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/a-missional-theology-appl-ies-to-the-whole-of-life-of-every-believer/) [Alan Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/) > [Over time, I started becoming more aware of the vastness and complexity of the universe, which led me away from any sort of conventional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moby/over-time-i-started-becoming-more-aware-of-the-vastness-and/) [Moby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moby/) > [“It is easy to be a madman: it is easy to be a heretic. It is always easy to let the age have its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-k-chesterton/it-is-easy-to-be-a-madman-it-is-easy-to-be-a-heretic-it-is-always/) [G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/) > [“I read a lot of history, biographies, science, and novels,' he says, ushering a reporter out the door with a hint of relief. 'I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/i-read-a-lot-of-history-biographies-science-and-novels-he-says/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [“The effort to put down Christian Science by law is one of the craziest enterprises upon which medical men waste their energies. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken-2/the-effort-to-put-down-christian-science-by-law-is-one-of-the/) [H.L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken-2/) > [This is the doctrine of Christian Science: that divine Love cannot be deprived of its manifestation, or object; that joy cannot be turned into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-baker-eddy/this-is-the-doctrine-of-christian-science-that-divine-love-cannot-be/) [Mary Baker Eddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-baker-eddy/) > [“We are constituted of Divinity itself—nothing else, nothing less.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-goddard/we-are-constituted-of-divinity-itself-nothing-else-nothing-less/) [Donna Goddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-goddard/) > [My father was a first reader in the Christian Science Church, which is similar to being a preacher. There was no drinking, smoking or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/my-father-was-a-first-reader-in-the-christian-science-church-which-is/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [“Is it hot in here? I’m sweating like a Christian in science class.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-b-powell/is-it-hot-in-here-i-m-sweating-like-a-christian-in-science-class/) [Aaron B. Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-b-powell/) > [My father was a particularly zealous Christian Scientist, but young Christian Science children, who have little choice but to believe what their parents are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-fraser/my-father-was-a-particularly-zealous-christian-scientist-but-young/) [Caroline Fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-fraser/) > [When I began my career as a cosmologist some twenty years ago, I was a convinced atheist. I never in my wildest dreams imagined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-j-tipler/when-i-began-my-career-as-a-cosmologist-some-twenty-years-ago-i-was-a/) [Frank J. Tipler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-j-tipler/) > [“I was raised very, very strictly with Christian Science. I didn't have a shot or an aspirin or anything until I was 13 years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/i-was-raised-very-very-strictly-with-christian-science-i-didn-t-have/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) ## More by Theodore Schroeder > [Religion is ... the most pernicious single influence in human society, without one redeeming feature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-schroeder/religion-is-the-most-pernicious-single-influence-in-human-society/) [Theodore Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-schroeder/) > [Obscenity is not a quality inherent in a book or picture, but is solely and exclusively a contribution of the reading mind, and hence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-schroeder/obscenity-is-not-a-quality-inherent-in-a-book-or-picture-but-is/) [Theodore Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-schroeder/) [Explore all 3 Theodore Schroeder quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-schroeder/) ## More Atheism quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [No philosophy, no religion, has ever brought so glad a message to the world as this good news of Atheism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-besant/no-philosophy-no-religion-has-ever-brought-so-glad-a-message-to-the/) [Annie Besant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-besant/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [God speaks through me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/god-speaks-through-me/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [You cannot ... transmute some incoherent mixture of words into sense merely by introducing the three-letter word "God" to be its grammatical subject.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-flew/you-cannot-transmute-some-incoherent-mixture-of-words-into-sense/) [Antony Flew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-flew/) > [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/) [Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/) > [If, with all the time at my disposal, with all the wealth of the resources of this vast universe, to do with as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/if-with-all-the-time-at-my-disposal-with-all-the-wealth-of-the/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [Do you think that was kind? Do you think it was godlike? What would you think of a physician, if a woman came to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-h-gardener/do-you-think-that-was-kind-do-you-think-it-was-godlike-what-would-you/) [Helen H. Gardener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-h-gardener/) > [Science can destroy religion by ignoring it as well as by disproving its tenets. No one ever demonstrated, so far as I am aware,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-c-clarke/science-can-destroy-religion-by-ignoring-it-as-well-as-by-disproving/) [Arthur C. Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-c-clarke/) > [Honest investigation is utterly impossible within the pale of any church, for the reason, that if you think the church is right you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/honest-investigation-is-utterly-impossible-within-the-pale-of-any/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) [Browse all 4,769 Atheism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The freethinker has the same right to discredit the beliefs of Christians that the Orthodox Christians enjoy in destroying reverence, respect, and confidence in Mohammedanism, Mormonism, Christian Science, or Atheism.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Theodore Schroeder" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-schroeder/the-freethinker-has-the-same-right-to-discredit-the-beliefs-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Atheism" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-schroeder/the-freethinker-has-the-same-right-to-discredit-the-beliefs-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/683/theodore-schroeder-79333_atheism_the-freethinker-has-the-same-right-to-di_2095174.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/683/theodore-schroeder-79333_atheism_the-freethinker-has-the-same-right-to-di_2095174.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/683/theodore-schroeder-79333_atheism_the-freethinker-has-the-same-right-to-di_2095174.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The freethinker has the same right to discredit the beliefs of Christians that the Orthodox Christians enjoy…” — Theodore Schroeder", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Theodore Schroeder", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-schroeder/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The freethinker has the same right...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-schroeder/the-freethinker-has-the-same-right-to-discredit-the-beliefs-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-schroeder/the-freethinker-has-the-same-right-to-discredit-the-beliefs-of/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```