Christians believe themselves to be the aristocracy of heaven upon earth, they are admitted to the spiritual court, while millions of men in foreign lands have never been presented. They bow their knees and say they are 'miserable sinners,' and their hearts rankle with abominable pride. Poor infatuated fools! Their servility is real and their insolence is real but their king is a phantom and their palace is a dream.
William Winwood ReadeWhat a state of society is this in which freethinker is a term of abuse, and in which doubt is regarded as sin?
William Winwood ReadeMen prefer to believe that they are degenerated angels, rather than elevated apes.
William Winwood ReadeWe live between two worlds; we soar in the atmosphere; we creep upon the soil; we have the aspirations of creators and the propensities of quadrupeds. There can be but one explanation of this fact. We are passing from the animal into a higher form, and the drama of this planet is in its second act.
William Winwood Reade