Against religion Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“The hocus-pocus phantasm of a God, like another Cerberus, with one body and three heads, had its birth and growth in the blood of thousands and thousands of martyrs.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Private correspondence, 1803
Divine power is portrayed as a monstrous, multi‑headed entity fed by the blood of martyrs.
In simple terms: God is depicted as a terrifying, many‑headed monster sustained by martyrdom.
Question blind authority.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- historical analysis
- religious debate
- literary criticism
- ethical reflection
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this image say about power and sacrifice?
- How does martyrdom shape belief systems?
Interpretation may vary; some see metaphor, others literal.