"Even the highest forms of sacrificial worship present much that is repulsive to modern ideas, and in particular it requires an effort to reconcile our imagination to the bloody ritual which is prominent in almost every religion which has a strong sense of sin."
William Robertson SmithTiny Panda Quotes
Quotes by William Robertson Smith
William Robertson Smith (1846–1894) was a distinguished Scottish theologian, biblical critic, and scholar whose innovative ideas reshaped the understanding of religion and its cultural expressions. Born in the Scottish Highlands, he emerged as a prominent figure in biblical studies, particularly noted for his work "The Old Testament in the Jewish Church," which explored the historical context of biblical texts. A key proponent of liberal theology, Smith's legacy endures through his influence on modern religious thought and scholarship, challenging traditional interpretations and embracing a more contextual approach to faith.
4 quotes found
"In all the antique religions, mythology takes the place of dogma; that is, the sacred lore of priests and people... and these stories afford the only explanation that is offered of the precepts of religion and the prescribed rules of ritual."
William Robertson Smith"In better times the religion of the tribe or state has nothing in common with the private and foreign superstitions or magical rites that savage terror may dictate to the individual."
William Robertson Smith"Thus a man was born into a fixed relation to certain gods as surely as he was born into a relation to his fellow-men; and his religion... was simply one side of the general scheme of conduct prescribed for him by his position as a member of society."
William Robertson Smith