Quotes With Meaning
Many religions now come before us with ingratiating smirks and outspread hands, like an unctuous merchant in a bazaar. They offer consolation and solidarity and uplift, competing as they do in a marketplace. But we have a right to remember how barbarically they behaved when they were strong and were making an offer that people could not refuse.
Many religions now come before us with ingratiating smirks and outspread hands, like an unctuous merchant in a bazaar. They offer consolation and solidarity and uplift, competing as they do in a marketplace. But we have a right to remember how barbarically they behaved when they were strong and were making an offer that people could not refuse.
This quote critiques how modern religions present themselves as friendly and helpful, like salespeople seeking followers. Hitchens points out that while they now offer comfort and community, we should not forget their historical actions when they held power. He reminds us that religions often acted violently and coercively in the past, forcing their beliefs on others without regard for individual freedom. The juxtaposition of their current soft approach with their past brutality highlights a troubling inconsistency. This reflection encourages a critical mindset towards religious institutions and their claims. Acknowledging this history is essential for genuine growth and understanding in our interactions with religion today. Ultimately, it is a call to remain vigilant and discerning about the motives behind religious offerings.