When religion becomes organzied, man ceases ot be free. It is not God that is worshipped but the group or the authority that claims to speak in his name. Sin becomes disobedience to authority and not violation of integrity.
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1888-1975) Indian philosopher, statesman
East and West: Some Reflections, Preface (1955)
Sometimes given: "It is not God that is worshipped but the authority that claims to speak in His name."
An expanded version in Religion, Science and Culture, ch. 3 "The World Communities of Ideals" (1965) includes an inserted second sentence: "If we think that it is a question of life or death -- what concept of God we accept, then our hearts are filled with fury." Full text.
Recent Feedback