Robert M. Hutchins Quotes
The problem for the churches and synagogues of America is ... the tendency to think of religion itself in terms of "usefulness" and "service" to the community, or the contribution faith can make toward guaranteeing personal "peace of mind." Like almost everything else, religion in America is valued for services rendered.
Robert M. Hutchins, 1899-1977, President, University of Chicago, President, The Fund for the Republic, President, Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions, The Power of Reason, 1964
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
Here we have an example of a government that tried to go into the Religion business. They wanted Christian religion but not the Catholic Church which at the time was the only Christian church. Many of the most extreme French revolutionists had a problem with religion. They were personally believers and recognized that most French people were. But the organized Roman Catholic Church was a major ally and supporter of the hated monarchy, and at the time was extremely corrupt at the expense of the people. The nobility were also the highest officials of the church in France. One solution they tried was to have the “people’s government” establish days and methods of worship, an effort that in retrospect appears ludicrous to us today.
Robert Maynard Hutchins was an American educational philosopher. He was president (1929–1945) and chancellor (1945–1951) of the University of Chicago, and earlier dean of Yale Law School (1927–1929). He was the husband of novelist Maude Hutchins. Although his father and grandfather were both Presbyterian ministers, Hutchins became one of the most influential members of the school of secular perennialism.
