"The religious persecution of the ages has been done under what was claimed to be the command of God. I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do to their fellows, because it always coincides with their own desires." ~ Susan B. Anthony (at a meeting of the National-American Woman Suffrage Association, 1896)
"I live in the Managerial Age, in a world of 'Admin.' The greatest evil is not now done in those sordid 'dens of crime' that Dickens loved to paint. It is not done even in concentration camps and labour camps. In those we see its final result. But it is conceived and ordered (moved, seconded, carried, and minuted) in clean, carpeted, warmed and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voices. Hence, naturally enough, my symbol for Hell is something like the bureaucracy of a police state or the office of a thoroughly nasty business concern." ~ CS Lewis (preface of Screwtape Letters, 1942)
"Every great historic change has been based on nonconformity, has been bought either with the blood or with the reputation of nonconformists." ~ Ben Shahn (Atlantic Monthly, September 1957)
"The substance and essence of Christianity, as I understand it, is eternal and unchangeable, and will bear examination forever, but it has been mixed with extraneous ingredients, which I think will not bear examination, and they ought to be separated." ~ John Adams (Letter to Thomas Jefferson, January 23, 1825)
"The patriot, like the Christian, must learn to bear revilings and persecutions as a part of his duty; and in proportion as the trial is severe, firmness under it becomes more requisite and praiseworthy. It requires, indeed, self-command. But that will be fortified in proportion as the calls for its exercise are repeated." ~ Thomas Jefferson
"Most of the harm in the world is done by good people, and not by accident, lapse, or omission. It is the result of their deliberate actions, long persevered in, which they hold to be motivated by high ideals toward virtuous ends." ~ Isabel Peterson (The God of the Machine, 1943
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive" ~ CS Lewis (God of the Dock, 1948)
"Those who are convinced they have a monopoly on 'The Truth' always feel that they are only saving the world when they slaughter the heretics." ~ Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.
"Why does it [the establishment] always crucify Christ, and excommunicate Copernicus and Luther, and pronounce Washington and Franklin rebels?" ~ Henry David Thoreau
"The monster, fanaticism, still exists, and whoever seeks after truth will run the risk of being persecuted." ~ Voltaire
"Many are destined to reason wrongly; others, not to reason at all; and others to persecute those who do reason." ~ Voltaire
"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."
~ Jesus of Nazareth (Matt. 5:44)
Really great post. Thanks.
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