Alibi Quote by Thomas Paine
![“Now, if the writers of these four books [Gospels] had gone into a court of justice to prove an alibi, (for it is of the nature of an alibi that is here attempted to be proved, namely, the absence of a dead body by supernatural means,) and had they given their evidence in the same contradictory…” quote by Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6a6/thomas-paine-267_alibi_now-if-the-writers-of-these-four-books-g_888540.jpg)
““Now, if the writers of these four books [Gospels] had gone into a court of justice to prove an alibi, (for it is of the nature of an alibi that is here attempted to be proved, namely, the absence of a dead body by supernatural means,) and had they given their evidence in the same contradictory manner as it is here given, they would have been in danger of having their ears cropt for perjury, and would have justly deserved it. Yet this is the evidence, and these are the books, that have been imposed upon the world as being given by divine inspiration, and as the unchangeable word of God.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Critique of Gospel authenticity, 1790s pamphlet
The Gospels' claims lack empirical proof; if judged like a legal case, they'd be perjurious and deserve punishment.
In simple terms: Gospels lack evidence like a court case; they'd be perjury.
Key Takeaway
Question claims with evidence.
Themes
faith
skepticism
truth
law
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- legal analysis
- personal belief
Key Concepts
historical criticism
epistemology
religion
Questions to Reflect On
- What role should evidence play in religious belief?
- Can faith coexist with skepticism?
A Different Perspective
Faith may rely on belief rather than verifiable proof.
![“[The gospels] are not merely antiquarian documents telling a strange story about a powerful but now long-gone moment of history. They are the moment of sunrise on a new morning, casting a strange glory over the landscape and inviting all readers to wake up, rub the sleep from their eyes, and come…” quote by N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bb5/n-t-wright-1173_christianity_the-gospels-are-not-merely-antiquarian-d_2730377.jpg)
