Absurdity Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“I have ever judged of the religion of others by their lives... But this does not satisfy the priesthood. They must have a positive, a declared assent to all of their interested absurdities. My opinion is that there would never have been an infidel, if there had never been a priest.”
About This Quote
The speaker argues that the concept of an infidel only exists because priests define it, suggesting religion's judgments are constructed rather than inherent.
In simple terms: Religious labels depend on authority, not on inherent truth.
Key Takeaway
Question authority in defining belief.
Themes
religion
philosophy
authority
identity
faith
Mood
critical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- Interfaith dialogue
- educational curricula
- personal belief formation
- public policy debate
Key Concepts
Social constructionism
theology
critical theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What role do institutions play in shaping belief?
- Can faith exist without hierarchical authority?
A Different Perspective
The claim may oversimplify complex theological histories and individual convictions.
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![“I could be joking and smiling [with infidels] and then cutting their throats in the next second.” quote by Tarik Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8a4/tarik-shah-281601_comedy_i-could-be-joking-and-smiling-with-infid_79500.jpg)
![“[States and the Federal government are] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch of the same government.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/401/thomas-jefferson-43_branches_states-and-the-federal-government-are-co_2619.jpg)
![“Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate, systematic plan of reducing [a people] to slavery.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/00c/thomas-jefferson-43_change_single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-t_5515.jpg)
![“Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear their leading you out of [any difficult situation] in the easiest manner possible...” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ebe/thomas-jefferson-43_difficult_though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one_9828.jpg)
