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About this quote

What does it mean?
Jefferson criticizes internal Christian divisions where people fight and harm each other over abstract beliefs they do not understand.
In plain terms
Christians fight violently over beliefs that are too complex for anyone to understand.
What can you take from it?
Violence over misunderstood beliefs is pointless and harmful.

Where it applies

  • religious debates
  • sectarian conflict
  • theological disputes

Putting it to work

  • questioning rigid dogma
  • promoting tolerance
  • avoiding sectarian violence

Questions to consider

  • Should people fight over things they cannot understand?
  • How can religion reduce internal conflict?

Another view

It overlooks cases where believers understand their abstractions well.

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