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About this quote

What does it mean?
Theologians often use past authority to control current people.
In plain terms
Religious experts use dead people to control the living.
What can you take from it?
Question authority based on old texts.

Where it applies

  • debating religion
  • critiquing tradition

Putting it to work

  • reading critically
  • independent thinking

Questions to consider

  • Who speaks for the dead?
  • Does the past rule the present?

Another view

It dismisses the value of historical wisdom.

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