Quotes With Meaning
Religion isn't best understood primarily as a collection of beliefs held by backward people with fear and trembling for most of human history (religion as brainwash). It is rather, among other things, a scriptorium of beleaguered witness, a record of collated information, both fragmentary and sometimes systematic, with which we may feel compelled to reckon as it somehow, across history, reckons with us, an inheritance, if you like, of difficult wisdom.
Religion isn't best understood primarily as a collection of beliefs held by backward people with fear and trembling for most of human history (religion as brainwash). It is rather, among other things, a scriptorium of beleaguered witness, a record of collated information, both fragmentary and sometimes systematic, with which we may feel compelled to reckon as it somehow, across history, reckons with us, an inheritance, if you like, of difficult wisdom.
The quote emphasizes that religion should not be seen merely as outdated beliefs held by fearful individuals. Instead, it presents religion as a valuable repository of experiences and insights that have been accumulated over time. This view encourages us to engage with religious texts and traditions thoughtfully, recognizing them as expressions of human struggle and wisdom. Rather than dismissing these narratives as irrelevant, we are invited to consider how they relate to our own lives and circumstances. The quote suggests that religion offers a complex inheritance of knowledge that can guide us in our personal growth and understanding of existence. In acknowledging this, we open ourselves to a mindset of reflection and freedom, allowing us to learn from history and the challenges faced by others.