A jealous lover of human liberty, deeming it the absolute condition of all that we admire and respect in humanity, I reverse the phrase of Voltaire, and say that, if God really existed, it would be necessary to abolish him.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Bakunin states that belief in God contradicts human liberty because a supreme being implies human submission. He argues that for humanity to be truly free, the concept of God must be rejected.
- In plain terms
- If God exists, humans are servants so to be free we must stop believing in God.
- What can you take from it?
- Freedom requires rejecting any supreme authority including God.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is faith inherently limiting?
- Can you be free under a higher power?
Another view
Many people find freedom compatible with faith.
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