It is the highest degree of insolence for some people to establish a religious law that is not subject to discussion by others and must be accepted by them on faith.
Why would people need this?
If something is true, then let us all believe it—the poor, the rich, men, women and children. If it is not true, then let nobody believe it—neither the poor, nor the rich, nor crowds of people, nor women, nor children. Truth should be proclaimed from the rooftops.
One hears constant whispering that it is dangerous to reveal certain things to the people. They say: we know that this is false, but it is very useful for the people, and shaking their faith can cause a lot of harm.
But crooked ways remain crooked, even if they are used to deceive large masses of people rather than individuals. And therefore we recognize only one motivation: the pursuit of the truth we know, wherever it may lead us.
— Clifford
The ignorance and superstitiousness of ordinary people is largely the result of the perennial existence of such cruel people who, having enlightened themselves, use their light not for what they ought to use it for—to help the people break out of the darkness of ignorance—but only to keep them trapped in it.
How strange! At all times villains have tried to mask their vile deeds by their devotion to the interests of religion, morality and love for the fatherland.
— Heine
Beware of those scribes who like to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts; who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: these will receive greater condemnation.
— Luke 20:46–47
But you are not to be called “Rabbi,” for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers. Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven. Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ.
— Matthew 23:8–10
Christ’s teaching is all about following his commandments. It is not those who say “Lord, Lord,” who will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but those who do the will of the Father.
Christ taught people that there is no need for intermediaries between a human being and God. He taught that all people are children of God. What intermediaries could be needed between a father and his child?
