mike's web log/quotes

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The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.
— Bertrand Russell general | politics | religion

Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.
— Albert Einstein general | politics | religion

I'm thinking I'd like to be God of Atheists, 'cause I'll bet there aren't that many duties, and I really value my free time.
— Westur religion | funny

I don't believe any more than Spinoza did in the utility of denouncing vice, evil, and sin. Why always accuse, why always condemn? That's a sad ethics indeed, for a sad people.
— André Comte-Sponville advice | religion

In the beginning there was nothing, and God said, "Let there be light!" Then there was still nothing, but at least you could see it.
— Flying Karamazov Brothers religion | funny

Deeply held beliefs of any kind prevent you from being open to experience, which is why I find all firmly held ideological positions questionable. [...] One of the signs of a damaged ego is absolute certainty.
— Milton Glaser general | advice | religion | politics

I have nothing against God, except his fan club.
— Jenny Berger religion

Most institutions demand unqualified faith; but the institution of science makes skepticism a virtue.
— Robert King Merton general | religion

I think anybody who believes that they understand the will of God and can act as an agent for God is dangerous.
— Chris Hedges religion

Political freedom cannot exist in any land where religion controls the state, and religious freedom cannot exist in any land where the state controls religion.
— Samuel James Ervin Jr. politics | religion

When people are fanatically dedicated to political or religious faiths or any other kind of dogmas or goals, it's always because these dogmas or goals are in doubt.
— Robert T. Pirsig religion | politics

Intolerance of ambiguity is the mark of an authoritarian personality.
— Theodor Adorno general | religion | politics

To be sure, Darwin's theory of evolution is imperfect. However, the fact that a scientific theory cannot yet render an explanation on every point should not be used as a pretext to thrust an untestable alternative hypothesis grounded in religion into the science classroom or to misrepresent well-established scientific propositions.
— John Jones, U.S. District Judge religion | politics

You can safely assume that you've created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.
— Anne Lamott religion

A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious. On the other hand, they do less easily move against him, believing that he has the gods on his side.
— Aristotle politics | religion

Scientific views end in awe and mystery, lost at the edge in uncertainty, but they appear to be so deep and so impressive that the theory that it is all arranged as a stage for God to watch man's struggle for good and evil seems inadequate.
— Richard Feynman general | religion

There is no religion without love, and people may talk as much as they like about their religion, but if it does not teach them to be good and kind to other animals as well as humans, it is all a sham.
— Anna Sewell religion

I have reason to believe
We all will be received
In Graceland
— Paul Simon general | religion

I learned that you cannot follow the entire Bible. It's impossible. You must pick and choose. Everyone does it, whether they admit it or not. Otherwise, we'd end up stoning adulterers on the street. Some call this "cafeteria religion," and it's meant as a disparaging phrase. But I say: There is nothing wrong with cafeterias! I've had some great meals at cafeterias. The key is to choose the right dishes—the ones about compassion and tolerance, and leave the ones about hatred and intolerance on the side.
— AJ Jacobs religion | advice

There is nothing in human nature or human history to support the idea that we are morally advancing as a species or that we will overcome the flaws of human nature. We progress technologically and scientifically, but not morally. We use the newest instruments of technological and scientific progress to create more efficient forms of killing, repression, and economic exploitation and to accelerate environmental degradation as well as to nurture and sustain life. There is a good and a bad side to human progress. We are not moving toward a glorious utopia. We are not moving anywhere.
— Chris Hedges religion

My mother would always point out that Jesus didn't tell anyone what to do. He simply told parables. It was up to each of us to draw the lesson that we needed. Then she would prove that she wasn't Jesus by telling me exactly what to do.
— Megan Sukys religion | general

Such as hold absurd tenets are seldom dangerous. Perhaps they are never dangerous, but when they are oppressed.
— John Witherspoon general | politics | religion

I protect my right to be a Catholic by preserving your right to believe as a Jew, a Protestant, or non-believer, or as anything else you choose. We know that the price of seeking to force our beliefs on others is that they might some day force theirs on us.
— Mario Cuomo religion | politics

The religion of compassion is followed only by a minority; most religious people are content with decorous worship in synagogue, church, temple and mosque.
— Karen Armstrong religion

Once a group gets large, it has to dumb down. We know this with regard to corporations. Same rules apply to religions.
— Paul Denlinger religion | general

PRAY, v. To ask that the laws of the universe be annulled in behalf of a single petitioner confessedly unworthy.
— Ambrose Bierce, the Devil's Dictionary religion | funny

Plenty of kind, decent, caring people have no religious beliefs, and they act out of the goodness of their hearts. Conversely, plenty of people who profess to be religious, even those who worship regularly, show no particular interest in the world beyond themselves.
— John Danforth religion

People don't do right because of the fear of God or love of him. You do the right thing because the world doesn't make sense if you don't.
— Dorothy Allison general | religion

Good luck quoting Jesus to rich people.
— Mxrk (Mark) religion

If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.
— Gospel of Thomas general | advice | religion

Convince me that homeschooling is a good thing for society, and not just about information control, distrust of authority and reinforcement of insularity.
— "Occam's Battleaxe" education | religion | politics