Words Worth Noting - September 29, 2024

“I can never hear of one of those savage or idolatrous faiths without wishing that I belonged to it. When I read of savages worshipping an odd-looking stone, I think what sensible fellows they must be. When I am told of a chieftain who believes he is descended from a shark, I wish sincerely that I could share his delusion. As a matter of intellect and conviction I believe in one religion; but, as a matter of fancy and sympathy I can believe in any number…. I can feel a sympathy for any religion that is a religion.”

G.K. Chesterton in Illustrated London News Oct. 10, 1908, quoted in Gilbert Magazine Vol. 7 # 7 (June 2004)