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Quotations about Religion and Freethought

Ethan Allen

  1. In those parts of the world where learning and science have prevailed, miracles have ceased; but in those parts of it as are barbarous and ignorant, miracles are still in vogue. [Ethan Allen, Reason the Only Oracle of Man, pamphlet, 1784]


  2. I have generally been denominated a Deist, the reality of which I never disputed, being conscious I am no Christian, except mere infant baptism makes me one; and as to being a Deist, I know not strictly speaking, whether I am one or not. [Ethan Allen, preface, Reason the Only Oracle of Man]


  3. While we are under the tyranny of Priests [...] it will ever be their interest, to invalidate the law of nature and reason, in order to establish systems incompatible therewith. [Ethan Allen, Reason the Only Oracle of Man]


  4. There is not any thing, which has contributed so much to delude mankind in religious matters, as mistaken apprehensions concerning supernatural inspiration or revelation; not considering that all true religion originates from reason, and can not otherwise be understood, but by the exercise and improvement of it. [Ethan Allen, Reason the Only Oracle of Man]


  5. Those who invalidate reason ought seriously to consider whether they argue against reason with or without reason; if with reason, then they establish the principles that they are laboring to dethrone: but if they argue without reason (which, in order to be consistent with themselves they must do), they are out of reach of rational conviction, nor do they deserve a rational argument. [Ethan Allen (quoted from Carl Sagan's The Demon-Haunted World)]


  6. ...The doctrine of the Trinity is destitute of foundation, and tends manifestly to superstition and idolatry. [Ethan Allen, Reason the Only Oracle of Man]


  7. That Jesus Christ was not a god is evident from his own words, where, speaking on the day of judgement, he says 'Of that day and hour, knoweth no man, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the son.' This is giving up all pretension to divinity, acknowledging in the most explicit manner that he did not know all things. [Ethan Allen, Reason the Only Oracle of Man]


  8. ...They are blind with respect to their own superstition, yet they can perceive and despise it in others. Protestants very readily discern and expose the weak side fo Popery, and papists are as ready and acute in discovering the errors of hereitcs. [Ethan Allen, Reason the Only Oracle of Man]



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