Why did Martin Luther say?

Question

that the biggest enemy against religion is reason?

doesn't that kind of scare you...it should.

I quote, "Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has; it never comes to the aid of spirtual things, but more frequently than not struggles against the Divine Word, treatin with contempt all that emanates from God. Again: "whoever wants to be a Christian should TEAR the eyes out of his reason." And again, "Reason should be destroyed in all Christians." --Martin Luther

Works Cited
Dawkins, Richard. The God Delusion. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006. 190.

Answer 1

He also said "The damned wh0re, reason"

Answer 2

Luther refers to reason as a "beast," an enemy of God" and a "source of mischief." It is "carnal" and stupid."' Yet, Luther could praise reason, Aristotle and philosophy as well as condemn them. Concerning reason, Luther at times -could refer to it as ". . . the most important and the highest in rank among all things and, in comparison with other things of this life, the best and something divine."" Reason is the gift of God and stands above all of man's earthly blessings. It is the source and bearer of all culture. It has discovered all of the arts and sciences, law and medicine, and it rules over them. How do we account for these divergent evaluations from Luther concerning reason and philosophy? Can they be reconciled, or is Luther truly the irrational "bull in the china closet" that some have charged?

The answer can be found here: http://user.txcyber.com/~wd5iqr/tcl/hein.htm
That is a link to an article written by Steven Hein, when he was a candidate for an MTh. degree. Thus if you truly want to know why Luther said what he said, then please read it. However; if you simply wanted to attack Martin Luther, then please learn more about him, as there are other more viable issues in which you could do so.

Answer 3

The quotes come from Martin Luther's Table Talk [1569]. Not surprising the context of this statement is not shown in your quote.

Luther was not arguing against Atheists, he was arguing with the Catholic church. In Luther's day people wanted to use tradition and reason to argue the questions, of salvation and how to worship God. Luther is saying the same thing that all Christians say, that learning detailed doctrines about God without the scriptures, is a vain thing.

This quote totally takes Luther out of context. Shameful!

Here is another quote, where we read that only plain reasoning (clearly backed by scripture), when dealing with doctrine, would be accepted by Luther:

Unless I am convicted by SCRIPTURE AND PLAIN REASON -- I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other -- my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen .*

Answer 4

I've included a link to an article that goes into detail on this, but frankly, Luther was a deranged madman. He vacillated between any position he thought was fit, taught things that led the peasants into rebellion, and when they did rebel, told the authorities they would be saved by murdering them despite their "lack of virtues." He was a virile anti-Semite, among other things.

The reason he derides reason is because he couldn't hold his own in debate with the Roman Catholics. He lost his first debate, and insisted that he must be convicted by Scripture and reason. He insisted this despite losing the debate on *both* grounds. Rather than doubt he could be right, he cursed reason itself and anyone who disagreed with him. Like a schizophrenic, he would go back and forth on any position. He has "pro-reason" and even "pro-tradition" arguments, but in each and every case, they are very convenient for him. Likewise, when they fail him, he rails against them as evil. His only standard was himself.

The article places him as Hitler's and Nietzsche's spiritual ancestor, and I think there's some truth to it. Everyone wants to talk about the courageous Luther who stood against the evil Catholic Church. Nobody wants to talk about the Anti-Semite, bloody, inconsistent, and betraying Luther that arose once he got free, but those two sides compliment one another. He was not a good man.

Answer 5

I agree with the statement. Reason is an enemy of Ignorance also.

Answer 6

I didn't know he said that. Care to site a reference?

Answer 7

I'm not scared.

Answer 8

Document, please.