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About this quote

What does it mean?
Religions arise as conclusions when natural facts lack major premises.
In plain terms
Religion fills gaps where nature doesn’t provide enough evidence.
What can you take from it?
Recognize faith often addresses unknowns left by science.

Where it applies

  • discussing belief origins
  • debating science vs faith

Putting it to work

  • examining belief foundations
  • identifying knowledge gaps

Questions to consider

  • What premises do we assume when facts are missing?
  • How do religions serve as explanatory tools?

Another view

It oversimplifies complex theological histories.

More from Ambrose Bierce

  1. Platonic Love is a fool's name for the affection between a disability and a frost.

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  2. The covers of this book are too far apart.

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  3. In our civilization, and under our republican form of government, intelligence is so highly honored that it is rewarded by exemption from the cares of office.

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