Behavior Quote by Victor J. Stenger
“Those who use the Bible as a reference for moral behavior are simply cherry-picking those teachings, such as the Golden Rule, that they have independently decided are moral for other reasons, while ignoring those teachings with which they disagree.”
About This Quote
Source Book: God: The Failed Hypothesis, 2007
People often select moral teachings that fit their preexisting beliefs, ignoring contradictory parts.
In simple terms: Selective use of scripture to justify morals.
Key Takeaway
Examine the whole source, not just parts.
Themes
religion
ethics
selective interpretation
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- debates on morality
- personal belief systems
- policy formation
Key Concepts
confirmation bias
scriptural literalism
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you consider all teachings before forming a moral stance?
- How does selective reading affect integrity?
A Different Perspective
Ignoring contradictory teachings can weaken moral arguments.
![“Until recent times, absence of evidence for his [Jehovah's] existence has not been sufficient to rule him out. However, we now have enough knowledge that we can identify many places where there should be evidence, but there is not. The absence of that evidence allows us to rule out the existence…” quote by Victor J. Stenger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/923/victor-j-stenger-16236_absence_until-recent-times-absence-of-evidence-f_385888.jpg)
