Better Quote by Thomas Paine
““But the christian story of God the Father putting his son to death, or employing people to do it, (for that is the plain language of the story,) cannot be told by a parent to a child; and to tell him that it was done to make mankind happier and better, is making the story still worse; as if mankind could be improved by the example of murder; and to tell him that all this is a mystery, is only making an excuse for the incredibility of it .””
About This Quote
Source Speech: The Age of Reason, Thomas Paine, 1794
The quote critiques using religious narratives of divine sacrifice to explain suffering, arguing it is inappropriate for children and morally problematic.
In simple terms: Religious stories of sacrifice are unsuitable for children and justify violence.
Key Takeaway
Question the moral framing of divine sacrifice.
Themes
ethics
religion
parenting
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- teaching children
- religious education
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
theodicy
moral philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we discuss difficult religious concepts with children?
- What alternative moral lessons can replace violent narratives?
A Different Perspective
The argument may overlook symbolic interpretations that differ across cultures.
![“It seems to me that in a pastoral situation our first risk is to throw people back on themselves with exhortations and instructions as to what to do, and how to do it... [Actually we are] to direct people to the Gospel of Grace—to Jesus Christ, that they might look to Him to lead them, open their…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/18e/james-b-torrance-174839_eternal-life_it-seems-to-me-that-in-a-pastoral-situat_1468876.jpg)
![“Trouble, hardship, difficulty, pain, suffering, conflict, tragedy, evil - they're all part of the [Christian] Story. Indeed, the problem of evil is the reason there's any Story at all.” quote by Greg Koukl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e44/greg-koukl-12385_christian_trouble-hardship-difficulty-pain-sufferi_374860.jpg)
