“Evolving life must experience a vast range of possibilities, based on environmental histories so unpredictable that no realized route - the pathway to consciousness in the form of Homo sapiens or Little Green Men, for example - can be construed as a highway to heaven, but must be viewed as a tortuous track rutted with uncountable obstacles and festooned with innumerable alternative branches. Any reasonably precise repetition of our earthly route on another planet therefore becomes wildly improbable even in a trillion cases.” MenLittlesFormHeavenConsciousnessCasesExamplePossibilityPlanetsGreenEnvironmentalTrackObstaclesAlternativesEvolveRangeBranchesRoutesPreciseRepetitionUnpredictableHighwaysPathwaysHomo SapiensImprobableEnvironmental History Author:Stephen Jay Gould
“We need examples of people who, leaving Heaven to decide whether they are to rise in the world, decide for themselves that they will be happy in it, and have resolved to seek not greater wealth, but simpler pleasure; not higher fortune, but deeper felicity; making the first of possessions, self-possession; and honouring themselves in the harmless pride and calm pursuits of peace.” PeopleWorldNeedsFirstsSelfHeavenWealthPleasureGreaterExamplePrideHigherFortuneLeavingCalmPossessionDeeperPursuitFelicity Book:The Two Paths Source: The Two Paths
“Falling stars are high examples sent To warn, not lure. Gross fancy says they are Substantial meteors; but that is not so. They are the merest phantasies of Night, When she's asleep, and, dimly visited By past effects, she dreams of Lucifer Hurled out of Heaven.” DreamPastNightFallHeavenStarsEffectsExampleFancyGrossLureLuciferMeteors Author:Alfred Austin
“If we cherish the virtues and the principles of our fathers, Heaven will assist us to carry on the work of human liberty and human happiness. Auspicious omens cheer us. Great examples are before us. Our own firmament now shines brightly upon our path.” IfsHumansFatherHeavenLibertyPrinciplesVirtuePathExampleShiningCherishCheerOur FatherPietyOmenHuman HappinessFirmament Book:The Great Orations and Senatorial Speech of Daniel Webster Source: The Great Orations and Senatorial Speech of Daniel Webster
“The United States of America have exhibited, perhaps, the first example of governments erected on the simple principles of nature. . . . [In] the formation of the American governments . . . it will never be pretended that any persons employed in that service had interviews with the gods, or were in any degree under the influence of heaven. . . . These governments were contrived merely by the use of reason and the senses.” FirstsPersonsStatesReasonUseGovernmentAmericaReligionHeavenChurchSimpleUnitedPrinciplesUnited StatesAtheismInfluenceExampleDegreesSeparationSensesInterviewsSecularUnited States Of AmericaEmployedChurch And StateFormationSeparation Of Church And StateOur Founding FathersFounding Fathers ChristianState GovernmentUs Founding FathersSeparation Between Church And StateFounding Fathers ReligiousAmerican GovernmentReligion GodChristian ChurchConstitution Of The United StatesFounding Fathers Anti ReligionFounding Fathers Of AmericaFounding AmericaAmerican Founding FathersFounding Fathers AtheistDeismReligion ChristianChristian FatherUnited States GovernmentReligion And GovernmentAmerican Constitution Author:John Adams
“People in religions that teach that believers in other faiths are condemned, for example, tend to have lower life satisfaction. People who believe in heaven and hell tend to be less happy than those believe only in heaven.” PeopleBelieveHeavenTeachHellExampleSatisfactionBelieverHeaven And Hell Author:Gretchen Rubin