Deck 22: Bertrand Russell: Can Religion Cure Our Troubles

Question 1

In this essay Russell argues against the idea that adherence to religious dogma is humankind's best hope for alleviating the world's evils. Uncritical acceptance of faith-based morality is dangerous and noxious because it leads to coercion by authorities who wish to preserve orthodoxy, to intolerance of opposing views, and to discouragement of honest inquiry. Contrary to general opinion, he says, Christianity has historically not embodied better morality than rival worldviews have: "Christianity has been distinguished from other religions by its greater readiness to persecution." To those who believe that intelligence has caused our troubles, he says, "It is not unintelligence that will cure them. Only more and wiser intelligence can make a happier world."
-According to Russell, as soon as people hold any belief for some other reason than that it is true,

A) orthodoxy begins to decline.
B) a host of evils is ready to spring up.
C) social welfare is increased.
D) unorthodoxy takes root and flourishes.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

In this essay Russell argues against the idea that adherence to religious dogma is humankind's best hope for alleviating the world's evils. Uncritical acceptance of faith-based morality is dangerous and noxious because it leads to coercion by authorities who wish to preserve orthodoxy, to intolerance of opposing views, and to discouragement of honest inquiry. Contrary to general opinion, he says, Christianity has historically not embodied better morality than rival worldviews have: "Christianity has been distinguished from other religions by its greater readiness to persecution." To those who believe that intelligence has caused our troubles, he says, "It is not unintelligence that will cure them. Only more and wiser intelligence can make a happier world."
-According to Russell, the dangers of Soviet and Christian doctrines arise from

A) communist propaganda.
B) pagan influences.
C) unorthodoxy.
D) the way the doctrines are held.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

In this essay Russell argues against the idea that adherence to religious dogma is humankind's best hope for alleviating the world's evils. Uncritical acceptance of faith-based morality is dangerous and noxious because it leads to coercion by authorities who wish to preserve orthodoxy, to intolerance of opposing views, and to discouragement of honest inquiry. Contrary to general opinion, he says, Christianity has historically not embodied better morality than rival worldviews have: "Christianity has been distinguished from other religions by its greater readiness to persecution." To those who believe that intelligence has caused our troubles, he says, "It is not unintelligence that will cure them. Only more and wiser intelligence can make a happier world."
-According to Russell, the contention that Christianity has had a positive moral influence can be maintained only by

A) ignorance or falsification of historical evidence.
B) the grace of God.
C) honest inquiry.
D) better education of the young.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

In this essay Russell argues against the idea that adherence to religious dogma is humankind's best hope for alleviating the world's evils. Uncritical acceptance of faith-based morality is dangerous and noxious because it leads to coercion by authorities who wish to preserve orthodoxy, to intolerance of opposing views, and to discouragement of honest inquiry. Contrary to general opinion, he says, Christianity has historically not embodied better morality than rival worldviews have: "Christianity has been distinguished from other religions by its greater readiness to persecution." To those who believe that intelligence has caused our troubles, he says, "It is not unintelligence that will cure them. Only more and wiser intelligence can make a happier world."
-According to Russell, those who appeal to "true" Christianity selectively ignore much that is to be found in

A) the Old Testament.
B) Marxism.
C) the Gospels.
D) Buddhism.

Question 5

In this essay Russell argues against the idea that adherence to religious dogma is humankind's best hope for alleviating the world's evils. Uncritical acceptance of faith-based morality is dangerous and noxious because it leads to coercion by authorities who wish to preserve orthodoxy, to intolerance of opposing views, and to discouragement of honest inquiry. Contrary to general opinion, he says, Christianity has historically not embodied better morality than rival worldviews have: "Christianity has been distinguished from other religions by its greater readiness to persecution." To those who believe that intelligence has caused our troubles, he says, "It is not unintelligence that will cure them. Only more and wiser intelligence can make a happier world."
-Russell thinks that the medieval church embodied the best of Christianity.

Question 6

In this essay Russell argues against the idea that adherence to religious dogma is humankind's best hope for alleviating the world's evils. Uncritical acceptance of faith-based morality is dangerous and noxious because it leads to coercion by authorities who wish to preserve orthodoxy, to intolerance of opposing views, and to discouragement of honest inquiry. Contrary to general opinion, he says, Christianity has historically not embodied better morality than rival worldviews have: "Christianity has been distinguished from other religions by its greater readiness to persecution." To those who believe that intelligence has caused our troubles, he says, "It is not unintelligence that will cure them. Only more and wiser intelligence can make a happier world."
-Russell says that every theological ethic can be wholly defended rationally.

Question 7

In this essay Russell argues against the idea that adherence to religious dogma is humankind's best hope for alleviating the world's evils. Uncritical acceptance of faith-based morality is dangerous and noxious because it leads to coercion by authorities who wish to preserve orthodoxy, to intolerance of opposing views, and to discouragement of honest inquiry. Contrary to general opinion, he says, Christianity has historically not embodied better morality than rival worldviews have: "Christianity has been distinguished from other religions by its greater readiness to persecution." To those who believe that intelligence has caused our troubles, he says, "It is not unintelligence that will cure them. Only more and wiser intelligence can make a happier world."
-Russell believes that what the world needs is reasonableness, tolerance, and realization of the interdependence of humanity.

Question 8

In this essay Russell argues against the idea that adherence to religious dogma is humankind's best hope for alleviating the world's evils. Uncritical acceptance of faith-based morality is dangerous and noxious because it leads to coercion by authorities who wish to preserve orthodoxy, to intolerance of opposing views, and to discouragement of honest inquiry. Contrary to general opinion, he says, Christianity has historically not embodied better morality than rival worldviews have: "Christianity has been distinguished from other religions by its greater readiness to persecution." To those who believe that intelligence has caused our troubles, he says, "It is not unintelligence that will cure them. Only more and wiser intelligence can make a happier world."
-According to Russell, it is dangerous to defend Christianity solely on the grounds that people will behave better if they believe it.

Question 9

In this essay Russell argues against the idea that adherence to religious dogma is humankind's best hope for alleviating the world's evils. Uncritical acceptance of faith-based morality is dangerous and noxious because it leads to coercion by authorities who wish to preserve orthodoxy, to intolerance of opposing views, and to discouragement of honest inquiry. Contrary to general opinion, he says, Christianity has historically not embodied better morality than rival worldviews have: "Christianity has been distinguished from other religions by its greater readiness to persecution." To those who believe that intelligence has caused our troubles, he says, "It is not unintelligence that will cure them. Only more and wiser intelligence can make a happier world."
-Russell thinks that people will behave better if Christianity is widespread.

Question 10

In this essay Russell argues against the idea that adherence to religious dogma is humankind's best hope for alleviating the world's evils. Uncritical acceptance of faith-based morality is dangerous and noxious because it leads to coercion by authorities who wish to preserve orthodoxy, to intolerance of opposing views, and to discouragement of honest inquiry. Contrary to general opinion, he says, Christianity has historically not embodied better morality than rival worldviews have: "Christianity has been distinguished from other religions by its greater readiness to persecution." To those who believe that intelligence has caused our troubles, he says, "It is not unintelligence that will cure them. Only more and wiser intelligence can make a happier world."
-Russell asserts that whenever people begin to doubt received theology, it becomes supported by harmful and odious means.

Question 11

In this essay Russell argues against the idea that adherence to religious dogma is humankind's best hope for alleviating the world's evils. Uncritical acceptance of faith-based morality is dangerous and noxious because it leads to coercion by authorities who wish to preserve orthodoxy, to intolerance of opposing views, and to discouragement of honest inquiry. Contrary to general opinion, he says, Christianity has historically not embodied better morality than rival worldviews have: "Christianity has been distinguished from other religions by its greater readiness to persecution." To those who believe that intelligence has caused our troubles, he says, "It is not unintelligence that will cure them. Only more and wiser intelligence can make a happier world."
-Russell maintains that until the twentieth century, religion was either benign or beneficial.

Question 12

In this essay Russell argues against the idea that adherence to religious dogma is humankind's best hope for alleviating the world's evils. Uncritical acceptance of faith-based morality is dangerous and noxious because it leads to coercion by authorities who wish to preserve orthodoxy, to intolerance of opposing views, and to discouragement of honest inquiry. Contrary to general opinion, he says, Christianity has historically not embodied better morality than rival worldviews have: "Christianity has been distinguished from other religions by its greater readiness to persecution." To those who believe that intelligence has caused our troubles, he says, "It is not unintelligence that will cure them. Only more and wiser intelligence can make a happier world."
-Russell says that he feels profound moral reprobation for those who say that religion ought to be believed because it is useful.

Question 13

In this essay Russell argues against the idea that adherence to religious dogma is humankind's best hope for alleviating the world's evils. Uncritical acceptance of faith-based morality is dangerous and noxious because it leads to coercion by authorities who wish to preserve orthodoxy, to intolerance of opposing views, and to discouragement of honest inquiry. Contrary to general opinion, he says, Christianity has historically not embodied better morality than rival worldviews have: "Christianity has been distinguished from other religions by its greater readiness to persecution." To those who believe that intelligence has caused our troubles, he says, "It is not unintelligence that will cure them. Only more and wiser intelligence can make a happier world."
-According to Russell, the evils of communism are the same as those that existed in Christianity during the Ages of Faith.

Question 14

In this essay Russell argues against the idea that adherence to religious dogma is humankind's best hope for alleviating the world's evils. Uncritical acceptance of faith-based morality is dangerous and noxious because it leads to coercion by authorities who wish to preserve orthodoxy, to intolerance of opposing views, and to discouragement of honest inquiry. Contrary to general opinion, he says, Christianity has historically not embodied better morality than rival worldviews have: "Christianity has been distinguished from other religions by its greater readiness to persecution." To those who believe that intelligence has caused our troubles, he says, "It is not unintelligence that will cure them. Only more and wiser intelligence can make a happier world."
-Russell admits that Christianity has in fact stood for better morality than that of its rivals and opponents.

Question 15

In this essay Russell argues against the idea that adherence to religious dogma is humankind's best hope for alleviating the world's evils. Uncritical acceptance of faith-based morality is dangerous and noxious because it leads to coercion by authorities who wish to preserve orthodoxy, to intolerance of opposing views, and to discouragement of honest inquiry. Contrary to general opinion, he says, Christianity has historically not embodied better morality than rival worldviews have: "Christianity has been distinguished from other religions by its greater readiness to persecution." To those who believe that intelligence has caused our troubles, he says, "It is not unintelligence that will cure them. Only more and wiser intelligence can make a happier world."
-Russell thinks Christianity is both untrue and harmful.