When the dust settles and the pages of history are written, it will not be the angry defenders of intolerance who have made the difference. The reward will go to those who dared to step outside the safety of their privacy in order to expose and rout the prevailing prejudices.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of courage and action in challenging societal prejudices rather than remaining silent and passive.
John Shelby Spong's quote highlights that true change in societal norms and attitudes is brought about by those who are willing to confront and challenge intolerance. He argues that it is not the defensive, angry individuals clinging to their biases who will be remembered, but rather those bold enough to step out of their comfort zones to expose and combat prevailing prejudices, ultimately making a significant impact on history.
In practice
A speaker at a civil rights event can use this quote to inspire attendees to take action against discrimination.
When I grew up in the South, I was taught that segregation was the will of God, and the Bible was quoted to prove it. I was taught that women were by nature in inferior to men, and the Bible was quoted to prove it. I was taught that it was okay to hate other religions, and especially the Jews, and the Bible was quoted to prove it.
The church is like a swimming pool. Most of the noise comes from the shallow end.
Christianity is not about the divine becoming human so much as it is about the human becoming divine. That is a paradigm shift of the first order.
I would like the church to be a place where the questions of people are honored rather than a place where we have all the answers. The church has to get out of propaganda. The future will involve us in more interfaith dialogue. ... We cannot say we have the only truth.
It appears to be in the nature of religion itself to be prejudiced against those who are different.
The cross reveals that we're called to a deeper, fuller experience of what it means to be alive and open to new dimensions of life which our religious boundaries - creeds, atonement theologies - have kept us from experiencing.
Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return.
Activism that challenges the status quo, that attacks deeply rooted problems, is not for the faint of heart.
There are no halfway measures against bigotry, hatred and anti-Semitism. It's got to be rejected totally.
As long as a man had the courage to reject what society told him to do, he could live life on his own terms. To what end? To be free. But free to what end? To read books, to write books, to think.
She had put despair and fear aside, as if they were garments she did not choose to wear.
We need the courage to face the truth about what we are doing in the world and act responsibly to change it.
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