The root of almost every schism and heresy from which the Christian Church has suffered, has been because of the effort of men to earn, rather than receive their salvation; and the reason preaching is so commonly ineffective is, that it often calls on people to work for God rather than letting God work through them.
—John Ruskin (1819–1900) English Writer, Art Critic
I have, alas, only one illusion left, and that is the Archbishop of Canterbury.
—Sydney Smith (1771–1845) English Clergyman, Essayist, Wit
In the Church, considered as a social organism, the mysteries inevitably degenerate into beliefs.
—Simone Weil (1909–1943) French Philosopher, Political Activist
The question confronting the Church today is not any longer whether the man in the street can grasp a religious message, but how to employ the communications media so as to let him have the full impact of the Gospel message.
—Pope John Paul II (1920–2005) Polish Catholic Religious Leader
The Church is not a gallery for the exhibition of eminent Christians, but a school for the education of imperfect ones.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
He who is near the Church is often far from God.
—French Proverb
We praise Him, we bless Him, we adore Him, we glorify Him, and we wonder who is that baritone across the aisle and that pretty woman on our right who smells of apple blossoms. Our bowels stir and our cod itches and we amend our prayers for the spiritual life with the hope that it will not be too spiritual.
—John Cheever (1912–82) American Novelist, Short-story Writer
I never saw, heard, nor read, that the clergy were beloved in any nation where Christianity was the religion of the country. Nothing can render them popular, but some degree of persecution.
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) Irish Satirist
A church is a place in which gentlemen who have never been to heaven brag about it to persons who will never get there.
—H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) American Journalist, Literary Critic
It would be far better to be of no church than to be bitter of any.
—William Penn (1644–1718) American Entrepreneur, Political leader, Philosopher
The Pope is an idol whose hands are tied and whose feet are kissed.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
It will, I believe, be everywhere found, that as the clergy are, or are not what they ought to be, so are the rest of the nation.
—Jane Austen (1775–1817) English Novelist
The Bible knows nothing of solitary religion.
—John Wesley (1703–91) British Methodist Religious Leader, Preacher, Theologian
Here, the churches seemed to shrink away into eroding corners. They seem to have ceased to be essential parts of American life. They no longer give life. It is the huge buildings of commerce and trade which now align the people to attention. These in their massive manner of steel and stone say, Come unto me all ye who labor, and we will give you work.
—Sean O’Casey (1880–1964) Irish Dramatist, Memoirist
Where God builds a church the devil builds a chapel.
—Martin Luther (1483–1546) German Protestant Theologian
Be neither intimate nor distant with the clergy.
—Irish Proverb
The old cathedrals are good, but the great blue dome that hangs over everything is better.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
This merriment of parsons is mighty offensive.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
I don’t go to church. Kneeling bags my nylons.
—Billy Wilder (1906–2002) American Filmmaker
Though the church has many critics, it has no rivals.
—Unknown
And of all plagues with which mankind are cursed, ecclesiastic tyranny’s the worst.
—Daniel Defoe (1659–1731) English Writer, Journalist, Pamphleteer
How can a bishop marry? How can he flirt? The most he can say is “I will see you in the vestry after service.”
—Sydney Smith (1771–1845) English Clergyman, Essayist, Wit
Nearly all the evils in the Church have arisen from bishops desiring power more than light. They want authority, not outlook.
—John Ruskin (1819–1900) English Writer, Art Critic
The first time I sang in the church choir; two hundred people changed their religion.
—Fred Allen (1894–1956) American Humorist, Radio Personality
The act of bell ringing is symbolic of all proselytizing religions. It implies the pointless interference with the quiet of other people.
—Ezra Pound (1885-1972) American Poet, Translator, Critic
He was of the faith chiefly in the sense that the church he currently did not attend was Catholic.
—Kingsley Amis (1922–95) English Novelist, Poet
But a priest’s life is not supposed to be well-rounded; it is supposed to be one-pointed—a compass, not a weathercock.
—Aldous Huxley (1894–1963) English Humanist, Pacifist, Essayist, Short Story Writer, Satirist
She say, Celie, tell the truth, have you ever found God in church? I never did. I just found a bunch of folks hoping for him to show. Any God I ever felt in church I brought in with me. And I think all the other folks did too. They come to church to share God, not find God.
—Alice Walker (b.1944) American Novelist, Activist
Sign in lot: Church parking only. We will not forgive those who trespass against us.
—Unknown
An instinctive taste teaches men to build their churches with spire steeples which point as with a silent finger to the sky and stars.
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) English Poet, Literary Critic, Philosopher