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Quote by Reinhold Niebuhr

Work

Man's Nature and His Communities: Essays on the Dynamics and Enigmas of Man's Personal and Social Existence

The essays delve into the intricate dynamics and mysteries surrounding human personal and social existence, offering insights into the nature of man and his communities. more

Author

Reinhold Niebuhr
Reinhold Niebuhr

Reinhold Niebuhr was a prominent American theologian whose work on Christian ethics and social ethics had a profound impact on the 20th century. He was a key figure in theological discourse, particularly for his exploration of the nature of sin and the church's role in society. Niebuhr's theological thought has influenced various Christian denominations and has had a lasting effect on political and social thought. more

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“My personal attitude toward atheists is the same attitude that I have toward Christians, and would be governed by a very orthodox text: "By their fruits shall ye know them." I wouldn't judge a man by the presuppositions of his life, but only by the fruits of his life. And the fruits - the relevant fruits - are, I'd say, a sense of charity, a sense of proportion, a sense of justice. And whether the man is an atheist or a Christian, I would judge him by his fruits, and I have therefore many agnostic friends.”

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Author:Reinhold Niebuhr
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“The separation of church and state is necessary partly because if religion is good then the state shouldn't interfere with the religious vision or with the religious prophet. There must be a realm of truth beyond political competence, that's why there must be a separation of churches, but if religion is bad and a bad religion is one that gives an ultimate sanctity to some particular cause. Then religion mustn't interfere with the state - so one of the basic Democratic principles as we know it in America is the separation of church and state.”

IfsKnowsGivingStatesAmericaPoliticalCausesChurchReligiousVisionPrinciplesParticularTruth IsUltimateDemocraticSeparationRealmsProphetInterfereCompetenceChurch And StateSeparation Of Church And StateSanctity
Author:Reinhold Niebuhr
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“The stupidity of the average man will permit the oligarch, whether economic or political, to hide his real purposes from the scrutiny of his fellows and to withdraw his activities from effective control. Since it is impossible to count on enough moral goodwill among those who possess irresponsible power to sacrifice it for the good of the whole, it must be destroyed by coercive methods and these will always run the peril of introducing new forms of injustice in place of those abolished.”

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Book:Moral Man and Immoral Society: A Study in Ethics and Politics
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