"There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way and not starting."
Buddha
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given,
And the government shall be upon His shoulder.
And His Name shall be called:
Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God,
The Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
"We should always be disposed to believe that which appears to us to be white is really black, if the hierarchy of the church so decides."
St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus (commonly known as the Jesuits)
"We should not say I am an Athenian or I am a Roman but I am a citizen of the Universe…For there is only one universe, one God, one truth."
Lucius Annaeus Seneca
"We need a new concept, a lay spirituality. We ought to promote this concept, with the help of scientists. It could lead us to set up what we are all looking for, a secular morality. I believe in it deeply. And I think we need it so the world can have a better future."
Dalai Lama
"Spirituality I take to be concerned with those qualities of the human spirit -- such as love and compassion, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, contentment, a sense of responsibility, a sense of harmony -- which brings happiness to both self and others... There is no reason why the individual should not develop these, even to a high degree, without recourse to any religious or metaphysical belief system. This is why I sometimes say that religion is something we can perhaps do without. What we cannot do without are these basic spiritual qualities."
Dalai Lama
"We hear the beating of wings over Bethlehem and a light that is not of the sun or of the stars shines in the midnight sky. Let the beauty of the story take away all narrowness, all thought of formal creeds. Let it be remembered as a story that has happened again and again, to men of many different races, that has been expressed through many religions, that has been called by many different names. Time and space and language lay no limitations upon human brotherhood."
New York Times, 25 December 1937
"Before our eyes human life lies squalidly oppressed in the sand by the weight of religion."
Lucretius, On the Nature of Things
"This day has given earth an entirely new aspect. The world would have gone to destruction had there not streamed forth from him who is now born a common blessing… From no other day does the individual or community receive such benefit as from this natal day, full of blessing to all. The Providence which rules over all has filled this man with such gifts for the salvation of the world as designate him savior for us and for the coming generations… By his appearing are the hopes of our forefathers fulfilled; not only has he surpassed the good deeds of earlier times, but it is impossible that one greater than he can ever appear. The birthday of God has brought to the world glad tidings that are bound up in him…"
Inscription in honor of Augustus found in Asia Minor dated 9 B.C. (Dittenger, Orientis Graeci Inscriptiones Selectaei, Page 458)
