Atheism Quote by William Rathbone Greg
“The circumstance that any man could suppose that Matthew when he said, 'Jacob begat Joseph,' or Luke, when he said, 'Joseph was the son of Heli' could refer to the wife of the one, or the daughter-in-law of the other, shows to what desperate stratagems polemical orthodoxy will resort in order to defend an untenable position.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Essays on Biblical Criticism, 1865
Scholars may invent complex theories to protect fragile doctrines, even when evidence is weak.
In simple terms: People create elaborate arguments to defend shaky beliefs.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions behind dogmatic claims.
Themes
faith
interpretation
skepticism
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- theological debate
- historical analysis
- academic discourse
- public policy
- media commentary
Key Concepts
exegesis
dogma
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we cling to uncomfortable beliefs?
- What evidence would change your view?
A Different Perspective
Such theories can become self‑defeating.
![“I'm real ambivalent about [working mothers]. Those of use who have been in the women's movement for a long time know that we've talked a good game of "go out and fulfill your dreams" and "be everything you were meant to be." But by the same token, we want daughters-in-law who are going to stay…” quote by Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cff/erma-bombeck-780_ambivalent_i-m-real-ambivalent-about-working-mother_1082454.jpg)
![“One of the best things about being [joyfully] retired is the freedom to travel when I want. When my son and daughter-in-law asked me to stay at their house for a week to house-sit while they were away on vacation, I had the freedom to do it.” quote by Helen A. Rosburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/564/helen-a-rosburg-242057_best-things_one-of-the-best-things-about-being-joyfu_856430.jpg)
