“The improbability of a malicious story serves but to help forward the currency of it, because it increases the scandal. So that, in such instances, the world is like the pious St. Austin, who said he believed some things because they were absurd and impossible.” WorldSaidHelpingStoriesImpossibleIncreaseAbsurdInstanceCurrencyScandalPiousMaliciousAustinImprobability Book:The works of Laurence Sterne, with a life of the author, written by himself Source: The works of Laurence Sterne, with a life of the author, written by himself
“Instead of asking yourself whether you believe or not, ask yourself whether you have, this day, done one thing because He said, Do it! or once abstained because He said, Do not do it! It is simply absurd to say you believe, or even want to believe, in Him, if you do not do anything He tells you.” IfsWantBelieveSaidDoneAsksOne ThingAskingAbsurdThis Day Book:Unspoken Sermons Series I, II, and III Source: Unspoken Sermons Series I, II, and III
“Rationally considered, nothing can be more absurd than the baptism of infants under any circumstances. No statement, no matter by whom it may be said to have been uttered, can make that true which is radically false. If an innocent child, unconscious of good or evil, irresponsible to God and man, incapable of thought or action, is not already, in accordance with Christian theology, a member of Christ, then no vicarious promise or priestly ablution can make him one. For if this were so, a similar ceremony under devil worship could make him a member of Satan.” IfsMenMayChildrenHas BeensSaidMatterActionChristianEvilChristCircumstancesPromiseMembersWorshipDevilTheologyStatementsInnocentAbsurdSatanUnconsciousIncapableInfantCeremonyIrresponsibleBaptismChristian TheologyVicariousInnocent ChildrenDevil Worship Author:Tennessee Celeste Claflin