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About this quote

What does it mean?
Diderot argues that if Christianity is true, Christ's failure to defend himself against death was a moral failure.
In plain terms
Christ should have defended himself if he had the power to do so.
What can you take from it?
Questioning the logic of religious narratives.

Where it applies

  • theological debate
  • critiquing religion
  • philosophical argument

Putting it to work

  • challenging dogma
  • analyzing texts
  • debating ethics

Questions to consider

  • Why did Christ accept death?
  • Is power a measure of truth?

Another view

It assumes Christ chose not to act rather than fulfilling a divine plan.

More from Denis Diderot

  1. If I had believed him, everything would have been turned upside down... all would have been turned topsy-turvy to make room for impractical theories.

    Permalink to quote #92
  2. Of course it would not do for the church to allow a man to die in peace who had added to the intellectual wealth of the world. The moment Diderot was dead, Cat…

    Permalink to quote #94
  3. Although a man may wear fine clothing, if he lives peacefully; and is good, self-possessed, has faith and is pure; and if he does not hurt any living being, he…

    Permalink to quote #91

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