A dogmatic belief in objective value is necessary to the very idea of a rule which is not tyranny or an obedience which is not slavery.
C. S. LewisRead
Provided that any of those neighbours sing out of tune or have boots that squeak, or double chins, or odd clothes, the patient will quite easily believe that their religion must therefore be somehow ridiculous.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People often judge the validity of beliefs based on the flaws of their proponents.
C. S. Lewis suggests that individuals may dismiss the credibility of a religion or belief system when they see imperfections in its followers. This reflects a human tendency to equate the validity of ideas with the personal characteristics of those who espouse them, rather than critically examining the beliefs themselves.
Themes
JudgmentBeliefPerceptionReligionHumanity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion on religious tolerance.
More from C. S. Lewis
All quotes →I enjoyed my breakfast this morning, and I think that was a good thing and do not think it was condemned by God. But I do not think myself a good man for enjoying it.
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Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.
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Forgiving and being forgiven are two names for the same thing. The important thing is that a discord has been resolved.
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I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. It doesn't change God - it changes me.
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The instrument through which you see God is your whole self. And if a man's self is not kept clean and bright, his glimpse of God will be blurred
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