Church Quote by Tom Robbins
““To diminish the worth of women, men had to diminish the worth of the moon. They had to drive a wedge between human beings and the trees and the beasts and the waters, because trees and beasts and waters are as loyal to the moon as to the sun. They had to drive a wedge between thought and feeling...At first they used Apollo as the wedge, and the abstract logic of Apollo made a mighty wedge, indeed, but Apollo the artist maintained a love for women, not the open, unrestrained lust that Pan has, but a controlled longing that undermined the patriarchal ambition. When Christ came along, Christ, who slept with no female...Christ, who played no musical instrument, recited no poetry, and never kicked up his heels by moonlight, this Christ was the perfect wedge. Christianity is merely a system for turning priestesses into handmaidens, queens into concubines, and goddesses into muses.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins, 1980
The quote argues that patriarchal societies devalue women by separating humanity from nature and emotion, using religious and mythic symbols as tools of oppression.
In simple terms: Patriarchy devalues women by cutting ties with nature and feeling.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and restore connections between humanity, nature, and emotion.
Themes
gender
power
myth
religion
nature
Mood
reflective
critical
hopeful
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- activism
- education
- environmental stewardship
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
patriarchy
symbolism
feminist critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How do modern societies reconnect with nature and emotion?
- Can religious symbols be reinterpreted to empower women?
A Different Perspective
The argument may oversimplify complex cultural histories and ignore agency within traditions.
![“T]he church is not a place. It's not a building. It's not a preaching point. It's not a spiritual service provider. It's a people - the new covenant, blood-bought people of God. That's why Paul said, 'Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her' (Eph. 5:25). He didn't give himself up for a…” quote by Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7a4/mark-dever-3175_blood_t-he-church-is-not-a-place-it-s-not-a-bu_3297.jpg)
