“God is not a cosmic bell-boy for whom we can press a button to get things done.”

As I See Religion (1932)

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Harry Emerson Fosdick photo
Harry Emerson Fosdick 40
American pastor 1878–1969

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Context: Suppose, Christopher now said to himself, I have a Nazi Army at my mercy. I can blow it up by pressing a button. The men in that Army are notorious for torturing and murdering civilians — all except for one of them, Heinz. Will I press the button? No — wait: Suppose I know that Heinz himself, out of cowardice or moral infection, has become as bad as they are and takes part in all their crimes? Will I press that button, even so? Christopher's answer, given without the slightest hesitation, was: Of course not.
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