Religion
‹ 10 · Outline · 12 ›
11.Hypocrisy, superstition and fanaticism
11a.Hypocrites and the use of religion for gain
See also: Hypocrisy 5d · Virtue and Vice 8g · Sin 7d
Euripides, HippolytusVol. 8
- p. 345He mocks Hippolytus' piety, Orpheus worship, vegetarianism and mystic scrolls as a cloak for hypocrisy.read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 407Jesus condemns scribes' hypocritical show of piety and long prayers, and praises the widow's sacrificial gift over the rich men's offerings.read · scan
Chapters from the KoranVol. 45
- p. 963–964Hypocrites say with their mouths what is not in their hearts and are nearer misbelief than faith.read · scan
- p. 974–975Believers must obey God, the Apostle and those in authority; hypocrites who pretend faith are rebuked.read · scan
- p. 992God torments hypocrites and idolators but relents toward the believing, forgiving and merciful.read · scan
- p. 998–999Hypocrites who profess belief with mouths but not hearts; Torah and gospel as guidance and light.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 216–217The Khalifeh thanks God for keeping him to the external ordinances of the holy law and free of hypocrisy.read · scan
- p. 418The holy woman Fatimeh is renowned for fasting, devotion and miracles; the sorcerer exploits her reputation for piety.read · scan
- p. 419–420The disguised sorcerer imitates the saint's healing and prayers; the Princess seeks blessing and to be her disciple in piety.read · scan
Geoffrey Chaucer, The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales; The Nun's Priest's TaleVol. 40
- p. 17–18He greets widows with In principio to extract a farthing, using religion for gain.read · scan
- p. 29The Pardoner peddles false relics and pardons from Rome, fleecing poor parsons, yet sings the church service well.read · scan
Niccolò Machiavelli, The PrinceVol. 36
- p. 58Seeming religious is the most necessary appearance for a prince.read · scan
Martin Luther, Concerning Christian LibertyVol. 36
- p. 377Hypocrites pursue works without faith, showing godliness without power; works valued but belief in them condemned; prayer for God's teaching.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 303–304He thanks God, and notes Pagolo's feigned devotion with psalms and beads.read · scan
- p. 304Cellini trusts Pagolo because he seems pious; Pagolo crosses himself and invokes Jesus hypocritically.read · scan
- p. 305–306Pagolo pretends to spend time in religious exercises.read · scan
Ambroise Paré, Journeys in Diverse PlacesVol. 38
- p. 43He condemns soldiers as blasphemers and deniers of God.read · scan
William Harrison, A Description of Elizabethan EnglandVol. 35
- p. 303Beggars invoke God and Christ constantly yet are furthest from divine presence; Christ's poor members deserve regard.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 33–34The constable murmurs a feigned prayer, mimicking devotion in the ceremony.read · scan
Sir Walter Raleigh, Preface to the History of the WorldVol. 39
- p. 86–89Denounces universal hypocrisy in religion: men profess God yet deny him by works, and religious wars have driven the practice of religion out of the world.read · scan
- p. 89–90Men act as comedians in religion, professing heavenly aims while their lives show hypocrisy; charity, justice and truth exist only in words.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of DenmarkVol. 46
- p. 143–144Pious show and devotion used as a cover for hypocrisy; Ophelia given a prayer book as a prop.read · scan
Ben Jonson, The AlchemistVol. 47
- p. 567Face says Subtle is at his prayers and devotions for the success of the work, feigned piety.read · scan
- p. 567–571Subtle feigns piety, prayer and fasting, warning that carnal lust and covetousness will make the blessing leave Mammon.read · scan
- p. 571–573Mammon claims he will use the gold for pious uses: colleges, schools, hospitals, churches.read · scan
- p. 589–592Puritans Tribulation and Ananias rationalize using a profane alchemist for the holy cause, and Ananias denounces the stone as darkness.read · scan
- p. 594Subtle satirizes Puritan hypocrisy: pious names, tunes, fasts, railing at plays and prelates, legacy-hunting; Ananias hates bells and traditions as popish.read · scan
- p. 598–599Brethren's hypocritical case of conscience shows religious scruple bent to profit.read · scan
- p. 631–633Subtle feigns pious indignation, invoking God and saints, as cover for the fraud.read · scan
- p. 640–641Ananias claims the synod's prayer has revealed casting money lawful, showing hypocritical Puritan piety serving greed.read · scan
John Webster, The Duchess of MalfiVol. 47
- p. 837Cardinal notes Antonio treats religion as a mere school-name, and suggests tracing him through mass and confessor.read · scan
Philip Massinger, A New Way to Pay Old DebtsVol. 47
- p. 879Marrall swears by his religion; Wellborn calls it the devil's creed.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise RegainedVol. 4
- p. 359Satan notes that hypocrites and atheous priests tread God's courts and Balaam was inspired.read · scan
John Milton, Samson AgonistesVol. 4
- p. 415Priest urged betrayal as meritorious to the gods; Samson calls it feigned religion and hypocrisy.read · scan
Molière, Tartuffe, or The HypocriteVol. 26
- p. 201–202Pernelle defends Tartuffe as a holy man guiding to heaven; Dorine calls him a hypocrite.read · scan
- p. 203–204Pernelle praises Orante's thoughts of heaven and pious condemnation.read · scan
- p. 204–206Dorine mocks feigned piety of aging prude; Pernelle condemns balls and gossip as devil's inventions and praises the godly Tartuffe.read · scan
- p. 206–208Tartuffe's canting piety and his lackey's preaching against ribbons and rouge as the devil's finery mixed with holy things.read · scan
- p. 213–214Cleante distinguishes true devoutness from hypocritical show; bigots call clear-sighted men atheists.read · scan
- p. 214–216Cleante praises true devoutness as noble and denounces charlatans who trade on godliness and use sacred weapons for private grudges.read · scan
- p. 220–222Orgon praises Tartuffe's disregard of temporal things and attachment to the eternal.read · scan
- p. 222–224Orgon rejects Valere for gambling and irregular church attendance; favors Tartuffe as in Heaven's graces.read · scan
- p. 245–247Tartuffe's hair-shirt, scourge, alms and pious wishes are ostentatious display that Dorine sees as affectation.read · scan
- p. 247–250Tartuffe cloaks his advances in Christian charity, devotion and zeal for Elmire's salvation.read · scan
- p. 250–251He uses religious language of salvation, damnation and the Evil Spirit's snare to justify his passion.read · scan
- p. 251–253He says her beauty conquered his fasts and prayers, turning his worship to her.read · scan
- p. 255–257Tartuffe invokes God and Heaven's punishment in his show of penitence.read · scan
- p. 261–263Tartuffe hides behind pious language, 'Heaven's will be done', while Cleante appeals to Christian duty to pardon.read · scan
- p. 263–264Cleante challenges Tartuffe's pious pretexts; true religion teaches pardon and forbids robbing the lawful heir, while Tartuffe leaves for 'devotions'.read · scan
- p. 264–266Orgon says marriage to the hated man will help her earn soul's salvation; she prefers a convent.read · scan
- p. 272–275He perverts religion, offering a casuistical 'science' to stretch conscience and make things right with Heaven.read · scan
- p. 277–280Tartuffe threatens to avenge offended Heaven.read · scan
- p. 280–281Orgon now rails at all pious folk; Cleante insists true devoutness must not be condemned with imposture.read · scan
- p. 289–291Dorine mocks Tartuffe's pious pretext of Christian charity and salvation for taking Orgon's property.read · scan
- p. 291–293Tartuffe cloaks his treachery in Heaven's teaching of endurance.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 316False piety is a double sin; accused of heresy, he fears God's justice.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, Minor WorksVol. 48
- p. 372Rebukes the hypocrisy of baptized Christians who profess faith but seek worldly pleasure.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 42–43Christian warns the sleepers and says entrance must be by the Gate, against hypocrites' formal religion.read · scan
- p. 43–44Hypocrites' outward observance versus Christian's coat given by the Lord.read · scan
- p. 44–45Christian takes comfort in the coat, mark and sealed roll given by the Lord; hypocrites lack them and laugh.read · scan
- p. 81–82Talkative's religion is all noise of the tongue, with no prayer or repentance in his house; the kingdom is in power not word.read · scan
- p. 82–83His wicked life causes others to stumble and is a reproach to religion.read · scan
- p. 87–88Faithful challenges Talkative whether his religion is word only or deed and truth; hypocrite's ungodly conversation shames Christians.read · scan
- p. 88–89Talkative fools whose religion is only in word blemish Christianity; plain dealing makes them reform or leave the company of saints.read · scan
- p. 102–103By-ends is zealous only when religion walks in silver slippers, never striving against wind and tide.read · scan
- p. 103–104Christian demands religion be owned in rags as well as in silver slippers; By-ends keeps profitable principles.read · scan
- p. 104–105By-ends contrasts the pilgrims' rigid devotion in hardship with his own religion so far as times and safety allow.read · scan
- p. 105–106Hold-the-world prefers religion that stands with security of God's blessings and wealth; By-ends asks if feigned zeal for gain is honest.read · scan
- p. 106–107Money-love justifies a minister or tradesman becoming zealous in religion to gain a better benefice, wife or customers.read · scan
- p. 107–108Christian condemns using religion as a stalking-horse for worldly gain, citing following Christ for loaves and Hamor and Shechem.read · scan
- p. 109–110Christian says taking religion for the world is heathenish and devilish, as Judas and Simon Magus; he who takes it up for gain will sell it.read · scan
- p. 164–165Mere outward participation ('eat and drank in his presence') without genuine faith is rejected.read · scan
- p. 205–206Emblems of the barren field and the hypocritical robin warn that professors of godliness must bear fruit and be sincere, not merely seem devout.read · scan
- p. 207–208Proverbs on perseverance in profession, gratitude to the Saviour, and hypocrites who speak highly of God yet do nothing for him.read · scan
- p. 218–219Pilgrims face obstacles: the polluted spring, difficulty of getting good doctrine in erroneous times, and by-ways of Formality and Hypocrisy.read · scan
- p. 230–231Mr Brisk pretends religion but sticks to the world; Mercy rejects him as a clog to her soul.read · scan
- p. 277–279By-ends is a hypocrite whose religion changes with the world's fashion so he never loses or suffers for it.read · scan
- p. 291–292God will make the innocent's righteousness shine; Pharisees and hypocrites are condemned.read · scan
John Dryden, Preface to Fables, Ancient and ModernVol. 39
- p. 156Denies profaneness in his verse and answers a religious lawyer who pleaded against the stage.read · scan
William Penn, More Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 375–376Insincere speech is most pernicious in religion and politics.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 27–28Keimer had been a French prophet, professes no religion, something of all on occasion.read · scan
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Profession of Faith of a Savoyard VicarVol. 34
- p. 232Religion seen as a mask for self-interest and worship a cloak for hypocrisy; heaven and hell prostituted in vain disputes.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 192Professing the truth while producing contrary fruits brings vain confidence; God shakes the earth to chastise wickedness.read · scan
- p. 213Meetings in Carolina, Divine love, and exposure of iniquity hiding under a cover of religion.read · scan
Oliver Goldsmith, She Stoops to ConquerVol. 18
- p. 211–212Tony's song mocks methodist preachers against drinking and their profit-seeking 'scurvy religion'.read · scan
Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in FranceVol. 24
- p. 252Denham's verses attack the plunder of the church under devotion's name, contrasting lazy contemplation with rapacious zeal.read · scan
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Minna von Barnhelm, or The Soldier's FortuneVol. 26
- p. 299–300Just mocks the landlord's Christianity as inconsistent with turning out a debtor.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, The Tragedy of Faust, Part IVol. 19
- p. 185–188Pious gentlemen and conventicles satirized as joined with devils; Jesuit-hunting critic.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, EgmontVol. 19
- p. 309–310Rumour holds that religion is a splendid device behind which dangerous designs are contrived.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 52–54Playful rebuke of Rankine, whose wit strips the hypocrisy from the saints and their black-coated clergy.read · scan
- p. 69–70Holy Willie's self-righteous prayer, a satire on Calvinist hypocrisy and orthodoxy, opens.read · scan
- p. 72–74Willie ends his prayer asking vengeance on Aiken and grace for himself, hypocrite piety.read · scan
- p. 94–96Satire: Superstition, Enthusiasm and Orthodoxy are dying; hypocrites wrap themselves in religion as a mantle.read · scan
- p. 96–98Fun, Superstition and Hypocrisy go to the Holy Fair; sacramental gathering shown as social spectacle and hypocrisy.read · scan
- p. 102–104Holy Fair ends with faith, hope, love and drink mingled; some hearts full of divine love, some of brandy.read · scan
- p. 104–106Burns attacks canting hypocrites who use gospel zeal for malice, yet hails true Religion as divine and defends it.read · scan
- p. 120–122Mock epitaph says Pigeon's religion was drink; ale his ablution, port celestial glory; also a satirical petition to God for the imps.read · scan
- p. 212–213Attacks hypocritical orthodoxy, long prayers and sectarian bigotry over real conductread · scan
- p. 459–461Satire on priests as spiritual excisemen and hypocrites thanking God for murder; mock graces.read · scan
- p. 522–524Mocks sanctified, hypocritical clergy who bring chapels but founder among harlots.read · scan
Percy Bysshe Shelley, The CenciVol. 18
- p. 288Cenci perverts piety, thanking God for his sons' deaths and calling the feast pious.read · scan
Thomas Carlyle, CharacteristicsVol. 25
- p. 344Some take up worn-out symbols of the Godlike with hypocrisy; others end in denial; the nobler cannot say Yea.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, English TraitsVol. 5
- p. 392English wealth-worship mixes with religion, reading the Jewish law's promises of long life, flocks and herds.read · scan
Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the BeagleVol. 29
- p. 502–503Slaveholders profess to love neighbours and pray God's will be done yet commit these deeds; hypocrisy.read · scan
William Makepeace Thackeray, Jonathan SwiftVol. 28
- p. 16–17Swift's secret family devotions and advice to Gay to take orders lead Thackeray to doubt the sincerity of his religion.read · scan
- p. 17–18Contrasts loud, fervent professions of Fielding and Steele with Swift's hidden piety, reverence and prayer despite hypocritical vows.read · scan
- p. 18Swift's sermons lacked Christian character, and his 'Thoughts on Religion' only excuse not professing disbelief; scepticism concealed under the cassock.read · scan
John Ruskin, Sesame and LiliesVol. 28
- p. 114–116A nation mocks Heaven by professing belief in a revelation while acting on love of money.read · scan
James Russell Lowell, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1374–1376Prayer and cant valued only for jobs they bring.read · scan
11b.Superstition and credulity
Plutarch, PericlesVol. 12
- p. 39–40Knowledge of causes replaces timid superstition with the assurance of an intelligent piety.read · scan
Plutarch, CaesarVol. 12
- p. 313Festival ritual believed to ease childbirth and cure barrenness.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 350–353Avitus's absurd superstition in anointing the dolphin drives it away.read · scan
Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations of Marcus AureliusVol. 2
- p. 196He was not superstitious toward the gods.read · scan
- p. 237He was religious without superstition.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 46Rejects the wizard's animal sacrifices to devils as superstition, though not from love of God.read · scan
- p. 81Monnica gives up the funeral-feast custom resembling pagan superstition and offers purified petitions and alms instead; Ambrose's devout reading and preaching are portrayed.read · scan
- p. 195–196Prayers and sacraments to reach God are misused in magical, proud pursuit of visions.read · scan
Chapters from the KoranVol. 45
- p. 1004–1005Pagan superstitions about marked animals are forbidden; follow God's revelation.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 359–361She says the Prophet has forbidden dealing with such spirits.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 127Ritual circles, robes, pentacle and incantations dramatize magical rites.read · scan
- p. 263–266The Milanese comically laments his sin of taking broth and being excommunicated for missing a Paternoster on the holy morning.read · scan
William Harrison, A Description of Elizabethan EnglandVol. 35
- p. 245–247Farmers' superstitious weather and price omens show them scarcely good Christians, caring only for money.read · scan
- p. 272Old superstitious prohibition of goose, hare and hen abandonedread · scan
- p. 331A French Catholic eats brawn in Lent believing it fish; Jews vomit prohibited food when told it was pork.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 126–128He recites eighty paternosters, aves and creeds over the potion, crossing every word, mixing ritual with folk medicine.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 8–9Contemplating death as the wages of sin is holy, but religious meditations on it mix in vanity and superstition.read · scan
- p. 43–45Cicero: Rome surpassed nations through piety and religion; superstition, with its causes such as ceremonies and ambitious prelates, corrupts religion.read · scan
- p. 45–46Superstition in avoiding superstition: popular reformers throw out good with bad.read · scan
Christopher Marlowe, The Tragical History of Doctor FaustusVol. 19
- p. 231–232The Pope crosses himself, and friars sing a curse with bell, book and candle; the comedy mocks Catholic ritual.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of DenmarkVol. 46
- p. 97–99Folk belief that the season of the Saviour's birth makes nights wholesome and spirits powerless.read · scan
Ben Jonson, The AlchemistVol. 47
- p. 553Ritual fasting, vinegar drops and ceremonies pass as mock magic preparation.read · scan
John Webster, The Duchess of MalfiVol. 47
- p. 801–804Cariola objects to jesting with religion in the feigned pilgrimage; the Duchess calls her superstitious.read · scan
Thomas Hobbes, Of Man, Being the First Part of LeviathanVol. 34
- p. 353Superstitious behaviour and opinion of divine inspiration are counted among forms of madness.read · scan
- p. 353–354Claim of private inspiration by God's spirit is argued to be madness, visible in multitudes and singular men alike.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Dr. John DonneVol. 15
- p. 348Rumours among common people about religion and fear of popery fuel the suspicion.read · scan
Sir Thomas Browne, Religio MediciVol. 3
- p. 280–281Browne doubts the efficacy of relics and pious frauds, such as the Cross or the ashes of John the Baptist, while believing miracles have occurred.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 136Milton satirizes superstition, blind zeal, pilgrims and friars seeking heaven by empty observance, who find fit retribution in the Paradise of Fools.read · scan
- p. 136Milton satirizes friars, pilgrims, relics, indulgences and pardons blown into the Paradise of Fools, mocking superstitious paths to salvation.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 40He accustomed to the faith believes it and no longer fears hell.read · scan
- p. 94Distinguishes piety from superstition and infidelity, warning against credulity and superstitious submission.read · scan
Voltaire, Letters on the EnglishVol. 34
- p. 95–96The chaplain objects that inoculation is un-Christian and could work only on infidels.read · scan
- p. 106–107Locke's philosophy does not oppose religion; superstition would burn those who differ.read · scan
David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human UnderstandingVol. 37
- p. 294Superstition hides in abstruse philosophy and overwhelms the mind with religious fears and prejudices.read · scan
- p. 297–298Abstruse philosophy has served as a shelter to superstition and absurdity.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 271Woolman argues that paying to see a juggler's tricks is contrary to the Christian religion.read · scan
Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in FranceVol. 24
- p. 290–292Superstition is the religion of feeble minds and must be tolerated; true religion is obedience to the Sovereign of the world.read · scan
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, The Education of the Human RaceVol. 32
- p. 196–198Rabbinic over-interpretation of sacred books gave their people a superstitious character.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 48–50Epitaphs mock hopes of salvation and damnation for greedy men.read · scan
- p. 114–115Granny condemns fortune-seeking as seeking the foul thief, the devil.read · scan
- p. 139–141Popular superstition of the devil, grandmother's prayers at twilight.read · scan
Sydney Smith, Fallacies of Anti-ReformersVol. 27
- p. 228–229James I punished witches and men who misconceived the Godhead; exorcism is contrasted with the newspaper, which drives out superstition.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 49Capuchin's tale of Father Macario's miracle of the nuts encourages alms-giving to the convent.read · scan
- p. 268–269A crucifix and blessed candles, then the cathedral clergy in procession, restore the mob to its senses through fear of God.read · scan
- p. 412She takes her own fancies for the will of Heaven, seeing Lucia's misfortunes as chastisement.read · scan
- p. 523City festooned for the procession, the sick joining prayers from windows; fanatical assurance that it would halt the plague.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 193Comic picture of Heaven, Saint Peter refusing tailors, and a deceived woman's naive belief about the afterlife.read · scan
Victor Hugo, Preface to CromwellVol. 39
- p. 347–348The grotesque fastens superstitions on religion and supplies the Christian hell's frightful faces.read · scan
- p. 350–351Catholic ceremonies and processions mix the sublime with the grotesque and superstition.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, WorshipVol. 5
- p. 293What is called religion effeminates and demoralizes; men must not seek death from pusillanimity.read · scan
Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the BeagleVol. 29
- p. 279–280Indians are Christians yet retain superstitious ceremonies and pretended communication with the devil; offenders were formerly sent to the Inquisition.read · scan
- p. 355–356Some hold such inquiries impious, sufficient that God made the mountains.read · scan
- p. 433–434Natives too awed by the sacred burial rocks to approach them, despite bravado.read · scan
- p. 462The Malay women's half-superstitious dance of an inspired spoon at full moon, which many believe in spiritually, though Darwin calls it foolish.read · scan
John Ruskin, Sesame and LiliesVol. 28
- p. 120–121Cathedrals made race-courses; Swiss give Christian thanks by firing pistols; sacred places profaned.read · scan
Ernest Renan, The Poetry of the Celtic RacesVol. 32
- p. 153–154Worship of forest, fountain and stone as primitive naturalism, proscribed by Church councils; Joan of Arc's voices accused as a crime against the faith.read · scan
11c.Zeal, bigotry and persecution
See also: Truth 5d · Punishment 9b
The Book of PsalmsVol. 44
- p. 232–234Desecration of the sanctuary and profaning of God's name grieve the worshippers.read · scan
- p. 302–303Zeal, grief at those who neglect the law and longing for God's presence.read · scan
Luke, The Acts of the ApostlesVol. 44
- p. 434–435The church grows; Stephen, full of faith and the Spirit, works wonders and is accused of blasphemy against Moses, God and the law.read · scan
- p. 470–472Asian Jews accuse Paul of teaching against people, law and temple and defiling the holy place.read · scan
Plutarch, PericlesVol. 12
- p. 68–69Aspasia is indicted for impiety and a decree targets those who neglect religion or teach new doctrines.read · scan
The Song of RolandVol. 49
- p. 145–147Roland and Turpin invoke God's malediction on infidels, Roland denouncing heathen falsehood and evil pride.read · scan
- p. 184–185Karl destroys mosques and idols and forces mass baptism, hanging or burning those who refuse.read · scan
Sir Thomas Malory, The Holy GrailVol. 35
- p. 190–192The sons tore down chapels and killed clerks so that God's service could not be said.read · scan
Niccolò Machiavelli, The PrinceVol. 36
- p. 72–73Ferdinand cloaked cruel expulsion of the Moors and wars under religion, a pious cruelty.read · scan
William Harrison, A Description of Elizabethan EnglandVol. 35
- p. 364–366Clergy given authority over sexual offences, yet punishing married priests more than adulterers; heretics burned.read · scan
Sir Walter Raleigh, Preface to the History of the WorldVol. 39
- p. 83Massacres of Protestants fail; they remain more numerous and stronger than ever.read · scan
- p. 86The Spanish Inquisition and papal dispensation from oaths used to enforce rule.read · scan
Sir Philip Sidney, The Defense of PoesyVol. 27
- p. 34–36God's word abused breeds heresy and his name abused becomes blasphemy.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 13–14Religion must not be made a cause for murdering princes, massacring people or subverting states; Lucretius' 'such ill actions religion could persuade'.read · scan
Christopher Marlowe, The Tragical History of Doctor FaustusVol. 19
- p. 224–227Faustus vows to burn scriptures, slay ministers and pull down churches.read · scan
Ben Jonson, The AlchemistVol. 47
- p. 594–598Ananias is described as an ignorant zealot, a botcher with revelation and competent knowledge of the truth.read · scan
- p. 638–640Puritan Ananias denounces Surly's Spanish dress as profane and idolatrous, satirizing sectarian zeal and superstition.read · scan
- p. 647–649Ananias and Tribulation rail against the house as a cage of unclean birds, Puritan zeal turned to righteous denunciation.read · scan
- p. 657–658Puritans Ananias and Tribulation rail at the cheaters in scriptural abuse, satirizing sectarian zeal.read · scan
- p. 661–662Ananias and Tribulation, hypocritical Puritan brethren, claim goods for 'the righteous' and curse Lovewit's house; sectarian zeal satirized.read · scan
Thomas Hobbes, Of Man, Being the First Part of LeviathanVol. 34
- p. 404Those who think killing or deposing the sovereign meritorious for salvation rest on hearsay of supernatural knowledge.read · scan
Pierre Corneille, PolyeucteVol. 26
- p. 94–95Polyeucte goes to overthrow pagan altars for Christ; Nearchus urges caution and moderation of zeal.read · scan
John Milton, AreopagiticaVol. 3
- p. 229–230Zealous defenders of the gospel risk becoming persecutors by stopping the mouths of God's gifted men.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 342Church leaders join secular power and force outward rites on conscience; persecution of those who worship in Spirit and Truth.read · scan
John Milton, Samson AgonistesVol. 4
- p. 415Samson remarks that wine-fired lords and priests grow zealous on holy days; Chorus prays for God's guidance.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 76Shame ridicules religion as low, unmanly and sneaking, mocking tender conscience, sermons, restitution and the pilgrims' poor condition.read · scan
- p. 97–98Superstition testifies Faithful called their religion naught and worship vain; religious conflict.read · scan
- p. 99–100Faithful's faith is condemned as rebellion against the prevailing religion; persecution of dissenting worship.read · scan
- p. 280–281Persecution at Vanity Fair has abated; religion is now honourable, though a good man must still suffer trouble and be watchful.read · scan
John Dryden, Dedication of the AeneisVol. 13
- p. 15Dryden remarks that religion as a motive for rebellion is a modern invention of the Christian priesthood, refining on the heathen.read · scan
William Penn, Some Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 365Furious zeal and bitterness discredit religion; better no church than be bitter for any.read · scan
- p. 365–366Zeal without charity devours; passions should not be sent on God's errands.read · scan
Alexander Pope, Solitude; On a Certain Lady at Court; Essay on ManVol. 40
- p. 428–430Zealots fight over modes of faith, but a right life and charity matter more than creed.read · scan
Voltaire, Letters on the EnglishVol. 34
- p. 85Religious wars are folly; Romans never fought over ritual trifles as the English did.read · scan
- p. 152–153Satirizes Prynne's fanatical scruples, condemning theatre as devilish and excommunicating playgoers.read · scan
- p. 154Ridicules 'Gothic rusticity' called Christian severity in excommunicating actors.read · scan
David Hume, Of the Standard of TasteVol. 27
- p. 220Religious errors are most excusable in works of genius, but bigotry or superstition gripping the heart becomes a blemish.read · scan
- p. 221Catholic zeal and hatred of other worships is bigotry that disfigures tragedies; superstition intruding into every sentiment is ridiculous in poets like Petrarch.read · scan
David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human UnderstandingVol. 37
- p. 393–394Bigoted persecution is philosophy's offspring allied with superstition; early religion was traditional tales, later speculative dogmas provoke furious dispute.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 206–207God's indignation is kindled against oppression; Christ died for these souls.read · scan
Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in FranceVol. 24
- p. 200–201Some teach wild and dangerous politics under the name of religion.read · scan
- p. 220Mocks Lord George Gordon's anti-Catholic zeal and conversion to Judaism, and defends Church property against confiscation.read · scan
- p. 273–274Atheistic libellers incite plunder and a new religious persecution of the clergy.read · scan
- p. 276–277The St. Bartholomew massacre staged to excite persecution of the present clergy, who deserve safety and reverence.read · scan
- p. 277Posterity should not make war on religion or philosophy for hypocrites' abuses; tolerance must bear clerical infirmities short of crime.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, EgmontVol. 19
- p. 259–260Mobs desecrate chapels, churches and sacred images; the Regent calls the foreign teachers audacious.read · scan
- p. 308–309Alva says the rebels violated the sanctuaries of religion, and the king contends for the honour of God.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 89–91Auld-light and new-light religious factions clash bitterly over doctrine, some burned or hanged.read · scan
- p. 91–94Sour Bigotry girns on her last legs; ridicule of whigs and blackcoats.read · scan
- p. 244–246Epitaph bids canting zealots spare an honest man, mocking pious censoriousness.read · scan
- p. 349–351Satirizes Calvinist zeal, heresy hunting and the Church's orthodoxy in Ayr.read · scan
- p. 351–352Satirical litany of Ayrshire ministers zealously denouncing Dr. M'Gill's book as heresy.read · scan
- p. 353–354Satire on Calvin's sons and Ayrshire ministers who persecute Dr. M'Gill and slander the Book.read · scan
- p. 377–379Defies Kirk and State zealots and mocks theologies as eternal fogs and bogs where he would blunder.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 473He fears Lutheran soldiers think it meritorious to murder a priest.read · scan
George Gordon, Lord Byron, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 801–802Father burned at the stake for tenets he would not forsake; sons die for their belief and for the God foes denied.read · scan
- p. 810–812Chillon's floor is called a holy place and an altar; the warrior leads the host of the Lord.read · scan
Victor Hugo, Preface to CromwellVol. 39
- p. 378–379Hugo wants to depict fanaticisms and superstitions, the maladies to which religion is subject at certain epochs.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, CompensationVol. 5
- p. 94The religious exclusionist shuts the door of heaven on himself in shutting out others.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, FriendshipVol. 5
- p. 110A man under religious frenzy dropped compliment and spoke to consciences, at first thought mad.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, NatureVol. 5
- p. 232Luther, Behmen, Fox and Nayler show prophets' egotism; sectarian zeal grows hot in controversy.read · scan
Hans Christian Andersen, TalesVol. 17
- p. 275The Archbishop suspects the maiden of witchcraft, leading the king astray.read · scan
John Stuart Mill, On LibertyVol. 25
- p. 199Servility toward the supposed preferences of gods produced genuine abhorrence that burned magicians and heretics.read · scan
- p. 201Religious sects, once reduced to minorities, pleaded for toleration; bigotry (odium theologicum) shows the fallibility of moral feeling.read · scan
- p. 206–207Religion, guided by hierarchic ambition or Puritanism, has been the chief engine of moral repression of private conduct.read · scan
- p. 218–219Persecutors were sincere, pious men; charges of impiety and blasphemy condemned Socrates and Christ.read · scan
- p. 220–221Religious intolerance and Johnson's view that persecution is an ordeal truth passes through successfully.read · scan
- p. 222Christianity and Protestantism survived or were extirpated depending on the persistence of persecution.read · scan
- p. 223–225Religious revival is said to be revival of bigotry; intolerance persists among the English middle classes toward unbelievers.read · scan
- p. 279Religious bigots resent others' worship as an injury to their feelings.read · scan
- p. 281–282Religious intolerance shown in Spanish Catholic exclusivity, hostility to married clergy, and Puritan suppression of amusements as impieties.read · scan
- p. 286–287Intolerance toward others' religion, treating Mormonism as an imposture with martyrs, shows persecuting spirit.read · scan
Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the BeagleVol. 29
- p. 267Chilean women are horrified that Darwin entered a church from curiosity, insist their religion is certain, and find a bishop with a wife absurd.read · scan
- p. 272Padres and governor judge caterpillar-keeping a heresy and have Renous arrested.read · scan
- p. 345–346Chileans once dreaded English as heretics and contamination, and recount buccaneers' sacrilege against the Virgin and St. Joseph.read · scan
- p. 366–367Inhabitants, enraged at theft of church plate, blame heretics who 'eat God Almighty' and torture Englishmen.read · scan
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1007–1008Spaniards cast as devils of the Inquisition, thumb-screw and stake for the glory of the Lordread · scan
John Ruskin, Sesame and LiliesVol. 28
- p. 109False religious teaching puffs men up with man's breath; sectarians who think exclusive rightness or salvation by thinking rather than doing are 'swollen with wind'.read · scan
James Russell Lowell, Abraham LincolnVol. 28
- p. 437Huguenot and Catholic parties struggle over Henry, who is distasteful to fanatics of both.read · scan
James Russell Lowell, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1371–1372Christ's suffering and heretics' martyrdom shown as generations learning the credo.read · scan
Edward Augustus Freeman, Race and LanguageVol. 28
- p. 228Hungarian Protestants preferred the Moslem sultan's toleration to the Catholic emperor's persecution, not from kindred.read · scan
11d.Idolatry
See also: God 4a · Race and Nationality 7a
Aesop, FablesVol. 17
- p. 27A man worships a wooden idol from his father, gets no luck, smashes it, and finds hidden coins inside.read · scan
The Book of JobVol. 44
- p. 120–121Worshipping sun and moon would deny God above; Job protests his pure devotion.read · scan
The Book of PsalmsVol. 44
- p. 156–158Who may dwell in God's tabernacle; the psalmist rejects other gods.read · scan
- p. 196Israel protests its fidelity to the covenant and refusal of strange gods, appealing to God who knows the heart.read · scan
- p. 278Israel's idolatry of the golden calf and Baal-peor set against true worship of Jehovah.read · scan
- p. 278–281Idolatry versus worship; closing prayer of salvation, thanksgiving and blessing of God.read · scan
- p. 290Mocks idols as lifeless work of men's hands; urges trust in Jehovah and lifelong praise.read · scan
Herodotus, An Account of EgyptVol. 33
- p. 37–38Some peoples keep tame crocodiles adorned and embalmed as sacred; others eat them.read · scan
Paul, The First Epistle of Paul to the CorinthiansVol. 45
- p. 503–504Sacrifices to idols are offerings to demons; believers cannot share the Lord's table and demons' table.read · scan
Luke, The Acts of the ApostlesVol. 44
- p. 435–438Israel makes the golden calf and worships idols, while God says he dwells not in houses made with hands; true worship is contrasted with false.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 64–65Worshipping the creature rather than the Creator is condemned as idolatry.read · scan
- p. 109Idolatry condemned: the Israelites worshipped a calf, and Augustine refuses to serve the creature more than the Creator.read · scan
Chapters from the KoranVol. 45
- p. 894Rebukes idolatry and disbelief; the Prophet must wait patiently and praise the Lord.read · scan
- p. 897–898Condemns worship of the goddesses Allat, Al 'Huzza and Manat as mere names without divine authority.read · scan
- p. 904–905Idol worship is rejected as mere inherited custom; true worship and faith in the one Lord are urged.read · scan
- p. 910–911Abraham rejects his father's idols and Satan's service; prophets pray, give alms, and fall down adoring and weeping.read · scan
- p. 924–925Joseph follows the faith of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; worshipped idols are mere names without divine authority.read · scan
- p. 930Call to faith and against idolatry; the story is a guide and mercy to believers.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 306Idol worship of carnelian idol contrasted with Suleyman's demand to profess one God and his prophethood.read · scan
- p. 307The king sacrifices to and consults his idol; the jinni deceives him by speaking from within it.read · scan
The Song of RolandVol. 49
- p. 121–122Pagans raise Mahound on the tower and pray to him; Mohammed's aid is invoked.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, ParadiseVol. 20
- p. 314–315Ancients in pagan error worshipped Venus, Cupid and Dione with sacrifice and invocation; Dante's Hosanna and reverence of the blessed.read · scan
John Knox, Preface to the History of the Reformation in ScotlandVol. 39
- p. 58Knox denounces Roman idolatry and hypocrisy and celebrates the true worship of God revealed through his word in Scotland.read · scan
William Harrison, A Description of Elizabethan EnglandVol. 35
- p. 266Reformed churches remove images and shrines as idolatry, reduce holy days, and have the congregation pray together in the vernacular.read · scan
Sir Walter Raleigh, Preface to the History of the WorldVol. 39
- p. 94Worldlings make a leaden God, as Louis XI kissed the leaden image begging pardon for murder, mocking the living God.read · scan
Francis Pretty, Sir Francis Drake's Famous Voyage Round the WorldVol. 33
- p. 203Brazilian inhabitants light fires as sacrifice to devils and use conjurations to raise storms against passing ships.read · scan
Christopher Marlowe, The Tragical History of Doctor FaustusVol. 19
- p. 212–214Conjuring rite inverts worship: Jehovah's name backward, sacrifice to devils, abjuring the Trinity.read · scan
- p. 218–219He vows an altar and church to Belzebub, perverting worship.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The TempestVol. 46
- p. 430–431Caliban takes Stephano for a god, kneels, adores him and swears on the bottle.read · scan
Thomas Hobbes, Of Man, Being the First Part of LeviathanVol. 34
- p. 415–416Heathen gods held goods dedicated to them through state officers; idols are figments.read · scan
Pierre Corneille, PolyeucteVol. 26
- p. 123Polyeucte proclaims one God, denounces pagan gods of wood and stone, and refuses to adore them on pain of death.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 90Fallen spirits corrupt mankind to idol worship and false religions, profaning God's sanctuary with rites.read · scan
- p. 90Catalogue of pagan idols—Baalim, Astarte, Dagon, Rimmon, Osiris—and Israel's idolatry.read · scan
- p. 90Idolatry of Israel with the golden calf and corrupt priests; pagan gods as usurpers of true worship.read · scan
- p. 342Abraham leaves idolatry and native land, believing God's call; men foolishly worship wood and stone gods.read · scan
- p. 342Idolatries of kings bring exile; the Temple enshrines the Ark.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise RegainedVol. 4
- p. 384Idol worship joined with God's worship is condemned; true worship requires humility and penitence.read · scan
- p. 395Christ abhors Satan's demand for worship as the price of the kingdoms.read · scan
- p. 395Cites the first commandment: worship the Lord only; rejects worshipping Satan.read · scan
John Milton, Samson AgonistesVol. 4
- p. 415Philistine feast and sacrifice to Dagon; idolatry versus true worship, scandal to Israel.read · scan
- p. 415Samson refuses to attend Dagon's feast because Hebrew law forbids his presence at their religious rites.read · scan
- p. 415Idolatry, feasting and sacrifice of the Philistines contrasted with Israel's God.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 241Unbelieving people sacrifice to idols while God is found by those who sought him not.read · scan
- p. 254Idolatry at Samaria, Dan and Beersheba is condemned; people seek the word of God in vain.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, LettersVol. 48
- p. 325Idolatry is the worst crime; sovereign love of created things, even images of God, is detestable, for God alone is final end.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 307–308Those who worship her as goddess are enemies of God.read · scan
William Penn, More Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 390Idolatry of money has no religion in it and cannot plead ignorance.read · scan
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, The Education of the Human RaceVol. 32
- p. 185–186Human reason left to itself elaborated the One God into polytheism and idolatry.read · scan
Thomas De Quincey, Levana and Our Ladies of SorrowVol. 27
- p. 324Sorrow made him idolatrous, worshipping the worm and the grave, altars dedicated in childhood.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-RelianceVol. 5
- p. 75–76Respect for the divinity in man will transform religion and idolatries.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, CharacterVol. 5
- p. 187Abandoning old gods and purgatory means little if we merely transfer idolatry to public opinion.read · scan
Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the BeagleVol. 29
- p. 75Indians adore a sacred tree as altar of Walleechu, hanging offerings and sacrificing horses, hoping for prosperity.read · scan
- p. 76Darwin judges the Indians regard the tree as an altar rather than the god itself, probably as a landmark.read · scan
James Russell Lowell, DemocracyVol. 28
- p. 466Reverence for authority is declining as superstition decays; idol-worship contains the germ of a nobler religion.read · scan
Walter Bagehot, John MiltonVol. 28
- p. 196Worship owed by men to God is not transferable to vicegerents.read · scan
- p. 197–198Bagehot calls the belief that power alone claims obedience a principle of idolatries and false religions.read · scan
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