Celebration is a confrontation, giving attention to the transcendent meaning of one's actions.
Abraham Joshua HeschelRead
We worry a great deal about the problem of church and state. Now what about the church and God? Sometimes there seems to be a greater separation between the church and God than between the church and state.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote discusses the disconnect that can exist between religious institutions and the divine, implying that the relationship with God can be more important than the relationship between religion and government.
Abraham Joshua Heschel's quote highlights a critical reflection on the role of religious institutions, suggesting that the gap between organized religion (the church) and the divine (God) can often be more pronounced than the separation between church and state. This challenges us to consider whether our practices and beliefs align with genuine spirituality, emphasizing the need for introspection about the true essence of faith beyond institutional boundaries.
Themes
ChurchGodSeparationFaithReligion
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon discussing the role of faith in everyday life.
More from Abraham Joshua Heschel
All quotes →Normal consciousness is a state of stupor, in which the sensibility to the wholly real and responsiveness to the stimuli of the spirit are reduced. The mystics, knowing that man is involved in a hidden history of the cosmos, endeavor to awake from the drowsiness and apathy and to regain the state of wakefulness for their enchanted souls.
Abraham Joshua HeschelRead
Prayer cannot bring water to parched fields, or mend a broken bridge, or rebuild a ruined city; but prayer can water an arid soul, mend a broken heart, and rebuild a weakened will.
Abraham Joshua HeschelRead
The worship of reason is arrogance and betrays a lack of intelligence. The rejection of reason is cowardice and betrays a lack of faith.
Abraham Joshua HeschelRead
We worship God through our questions.
Abraham Joshua HeschelRead
When religion speaks only in the name of authority rather than with the voice of compassion, its message becomes meaningless.
Abraham Joshua HeschelRead
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