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About this quote

What does it mean?
Hayes suggests that church attendance is beneficial even if it doesn't make someone religious, as it tends to civilize behavior.
In plain terms
Going to church helps people behave better even if it doesn't make them more religious.
What can you take from it?
Support churches for the civilizing habit even without higher religious reasons.

Where it applies

  • evaluating religious institutions
  • community building
  • personal development

Putting it to work

  • attend services for structure
  • support local churches
  • promote social norms

Questions to consider

  • Is socialization enough to justify religious institutions?
  • What defines a civilized person?

Another view

Civilization does not necessarily equate to moral or spiritual goodness.

More from Rutherford B. Hayes

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  2. Every age has its temptations, its weaknesses, its dangers. Ours is in the line of the snobbish and the sordid.

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  3. I regard the inflation acts as wrong in all ways. Personally I am one of the noble army of debtors, and can stand it if others can. But it is a wretched busine…

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