religious scrutiny Quotes

Every single religion that has ever been on the face of the Earth, ever, is a cult. That’s all they are.

Every formula of every religion has in this age of reason, to submit to the acid test of reason and universal assent.

You say, 'Well, I love secular music.' Let me just share something with you: I don't care. I'm not going to go there; this is what I'm going to tell you: It doesn't matter to me whether it's secular or Christian. My question is, what's being said in those words? Because if what's being said in those words contradicts the will of God, you're violating His will, and you're loving it.

Scientology is not that different from other religions. And yet, at the same time, we don't have Anglicans doing the things that are alleged to be done in Scientology, at least in the Sea Org.

Skeptical scrutiny is the means, in both science and religion, by which deep thoughts can be winnowed from deep nonsense.

The Bible itself is a book that constantly must be wrestled with and re-interpreted. ... Bible interpretation is colored by historical context, the reader's bias and current realities. The more you study the Bible, the more questions it raises. It is not possible to simply do what the Bible says.

Theologians always try to turn the Bible into a book without common sense.

I think it's very healthy to use journalistic and legal techniques to investigate the evidence for and against Christianity and other faith systems.

I respect those who follow religious routes only if they seem to me to be morally proper and in accord with the modern world.

Through the reading of popular science books, I soon reached the conviction that much of the stories in the Bible could not be true.

...I don't think my church's teachings were incorrect, just incomplete.

Evangelicals need to take a good look at what their issues are. Are they really being faithful to Jesus? Are they being faithful to the Bible?

From the very beginning, I started preaching when I was 16 years old. So I began studying Scripture very seriously. I had done over a hundred revivals in Baptist churches before I was 20. So I am studying the Scripture as a kid and I'm noticing that Christians often wanted to excuse God from things that God doesn't need excusing from.

There is a vulgar incredulity, which in historical matters, as well as in those of religion, finds it easier to doubt than to examine.

If there were a God he would want us to be better spirited than to take his word for everything.

The Bible contains some of the most sublime passages in English literature, but is also full of contradictions, inconsistencies, and absurdities.

Exhort him to lend a more constructive tone to his books, from a Catholic point of view ….[and in future editions] to make suitable corrections … in the light of the preceding observations.

Donald Trump did question Ted Cruz's evangelical credentials. Remember when Trump said, "How can somebody who lies as much as Ted Cruz lies be an evangelical Christian?"

Suggesting a married Jesus is one thing, but questioning the Resurrection undermines the very heart of Christian belief.

I read the Bible, I speak through issues, I see what I think is hypocrisy in the church and things that are wrong, and I speak to these things. But I could be wrong.

Let's not play games. I was suggesting - you're absolutely right that John McCain has not talked about my Muslim faith.

How anyone can remain a Catholic - I mean who has ever been aroused to think, and is not biased by the partialities of childish years - after seeing Catholicism here in Italy I cannot conceive.

You cannot criticize the New Testament. It criticizes you.

I'm sure Obama is an atheist; I'm sure Kennedy was an atheist, but I doubt if Pope Frank is.

One congressman asked 'I just want to know if you've accepted Jesus Christ as your personal savior. The minister looked stunned, and he said 'no.' The whole table almost fell on the floor. The congressman was quite serious. That was his litmus test.