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Quote by John Shelby Spong

“I see Christianity in very humanistic terms.”

Quote by John Shelby Spong

Author

John Shelby Spong

John Shelby Spong is an American author and theologian known for his modern interpretations of Christian doctrine and his challenges to traditional religious beliefs. His work spans multiple fields, including religion, theology, history, and literature. more

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“I think the story of the Christian faith is how you can become more deeply and fully human, not how you can become religious. And I don't see any indication that being religious makes you more moral.”

Thinking Humans Stories Christian Religious Moral Indication Christian Faith

Author:John Shelby Spong

“The 20th century was a turning point; it freed and emancipated women, broke the back of segregation, and began the struggle to give justice to gay and lesbian people. But the Christian church, in both Catholic and Protestant forms, resisted every one of those humanizing developments. The church was on the wrong side of all three of those fights.”

People Giving Christian Form Fighting Three Sides Church Justice Struggle Century Development Gay Catholic Broke 20th Century Segregation Protestants Turning Points Christian Church

Author:John Shelby Spong

“Some people in the church, like Martin Luther King, Jr., came out against segregation. But if you look at the bulk of organized religion, you will discover that it endorsed slavery and quoted the Bible to approve it; the Pope even owned slaves.”

People Ifs Looks Church Kings Slavery Slave Organized Pope Segregation Luther Organized Religion

Author:John Shelby Spong

“I grew up in North Carolina being told that the Bible approves slavery and segregation, that it was the will of God.”

Grew Grew Up Slavery Gods Will Segregation Carolina North Carolina

Author:John Shelby Spong

“The Hebrew scriptures say it's okay to enslave anybody except your fellow Jews. It says you should enslave only your neighbors. I say to people that means Mexicans and Canadians are a bit at risk if we want to be literal about the Bible.”

People Ifs Want Should Mean Bits Risk Okay Fellows Jew Neighbor Scripture Literal Hebrew

Author:John Shelby Spong

“In supporting argument for segregation, Paul [the apostol] addresses the people in his epistle to the Colossians, and he tells them how to treat their slaves. "Slaves, obey your masters. Masters, be kind to yourslaves." Paul was in favor of a kinder and gentler slavery; it never occurred to him to raise the question about whether slavery itself was immoral.”

People Kind Masters Argument Treats Raises Slavery Slave Favors Addresses Be Kind Immoral Segregation Kinder Colossians

Author:John Shelby Spong

“[Apostol Paul's] views were translated as, "Your rule is to be kind to black people; you don't beat them." It's very much the way we treated women in the 14th and 15th centuries. A woman was not human, and you should be kind to your wife like you are to all dumb animals. That was the mentality.”

People Way Should Humans Kind Black Animal Views Wife Century Like You Beats Treated Dumb Be Kind Black People Mentality

Author:John Shelby Spong

“The demolishment of the power of organized Christianity in the Western world to finally realize the emancipation of women and give them the vote in 1920. Women couldn't even own property in their own names until the last quarter of the 19th century in America.”

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Author:John Shelby Spong

“We didn't educate women, because the leaders then didn't think they were educable. That changed when a shortage of teachers developed, because men didn't get paid enough to teach school. Then men, who held the positions of power, sent women to teachers' colleges.”

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Author:John Shelby Spong

“Men didn't like to empty bedpans, so we made women nurses. Then men didn't like to do the administrative stuff, so women were allowed to become secretaries. That's the way they entered the work force. Then we began to educate them because they had to be educated. But it wasn't until after World War II that most of the great universities of this country became coeducational.”

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Author:John Shelby Spong