When a man bleeds inwardly, it is a dangerous thing for himself; but when he laughs inwardly, it bodes no good to other people.
Charles DickensRead
But theological change happens though selective quoting. Every religious person does it: You quote those verses that resonate with your own religious insights and ignore or reinterpret those that undermine your certainties. Selective quoting isn't just legitimate, but essential: Religions evolve through shifts in selective quoting.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Selective quoting allows individuals to shape religious beliefs based on personal insights while evolving the understanding of faith.
This quote highlights how individuals within religious contexts often focus on specific verses that support their beliefs while overlooking or reinterpreting those that contradict them. It suggests that this practice of selective quoting is not only common but also a necessary process for the evolution of religious thought, as it allows for personal interpretation and adaptation of faith over time.
Themes
ReligionBeliefInterpretationEvolutionInsights
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about religious beliefs, this quote can illustrate how individuals perceive their faith.
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