One who believes as I do, that free intellect is the chief engine of human progress, cannot but be fundamentally opposed to Bolshevism as much as to the Church of Rome. The hopes which inspire communism are, in the main, as admirable as those instilled by the Sermon on the Mount, but they are held as fanatically and are as likely to do as much harm.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Russell argues that both Bolshevism and the Catholic Church oppose free intellect, which he sees as essential for progress.
- In plain terms
- He thinks both communism and the Church block free thinking.
- What can you take from it?
- Protect intellectual freedom to advance society.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What role should religion play in public life?
- Can any political system fully respect free intellect?
Another view
He equates very different movements, which may oversimplify their complexities.
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