Accepted Quote by William Winwood Reade
“All doctrines relating to the creation of the world, the government of man by superior beings, and his destiny after death, are conjectures which have been given out as facts, handed down with many adornments by tradition, and accepted by posterity as "revealed religion". They are theories more or less rational which uncivilised men have devised in order to explain the facts of life, and which civilised men believe that they believe.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The History of Civilization, 1885, discussing religion as human construct
Religious doctrines are human-made theories presented as facts, shaped by tradition and accepted over time.
In simple terms: Religion is a cultural theory.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about belief systems.
Themes
religion
tradition
human nature
skepticism
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- personal belief
- cultural analysis
- interfaith dialogue
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
philosophy
history
anthropology
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence supports or challenges religious claims?
- How do traditions influence belief?
A Different Perspective
May dismiss genuine spiritual experiences.
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![“We have reached a situation where a theory has been accepted as fact by some, and possible contrary evidence is shunted aside. [This is] mythology rather than science.” quote by Robert Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c31/robert-shapiro-26969_accepted_we-have-reached-a-situation-where-a-theo_19120.jpg)
![“I was in a conversation and someone said: "You know, we were talking about the whole issue of transgender and how it has become so accepted now, and somebody said, 'You know the Oprah show, I think has had a big impact.'" I said, I don't think so. We did several transgender [shows], but we didn't…” quote by Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cd3/oprah-winfrey-186_accepted_i-was-in-a-conversation-and-someone-said_25645.jpg)
