Was Ben Franklin CORRECT when he said Lighthouses are more Useful than CHURCHES ?

Question

Lighthouses are more helpful than churches."

-Ben Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1758


"History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance, of which their political as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purpose."
-Thomas Jefferson, letter to Alexander von Humboldt, 1813


Whenever we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and torturous executions, the unrelenting vindictiveness, with which more than half the Bible is filled, it would be more consistent that we called it the word of a demon than the Word of God. It is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind."
-Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason, 1794


"Christianity...[has become] the most perverted system that ever shone on man....Rogueries, absurdities and untruths were perpetrated upon the teachings of Jesus by a large band of dupes and importers led by Paul, the first great corrupter of the teaching of Jesus."

---Thomas Jefferson

Answer 1

Maybe in a time before there was radar and other advancements in technology which decreased the need for lighthouses. However, churches do more damage than lighthouses do. So on a point system, I'd say that lighthouses still win.

Answer 2

I really like the qoute from Thomas Paine. I'm reading a book called 'The Jesus Mysteries' that explains what Gnosticism had in common with both the pagan and (literal) Chriustian religions. It also claims that Paul was really a Gnostic but since he was so loved the (literal) Christians took his work and twisted the words to support their view. Awesome book.
BTW, lighthouses are useful for keeping people alive. Churches are useful to keep people out of the rain-?

Answer 3

yes, you have to remember also that most of the founding fathers were deists.

actually, they are if you look at each in the best light.

a lighthouse is of VITAL importance as it saves lives NOW.

A church- even if you believe in it doesn't save lives but provides people who believe with (at best) emotional guidance and stability. it doesn't save lives.

Saying this isn't saying much. it is like saying "hospitals are more important than churches" which is obvious to all who actually want to save lives (unlike mother theresa who wanted to withold medical help even after promising it and just watch people suffer and die).

This is an inflammatory statement the way you put it designed to piss off chritsians not to adress any legitimate point or question. There are tons of things you can question about contradictions within the religion. Quoting the founding fathers on an issue that should be an "A, B, C" issue or line of reasoning is not necessary.

Answer 4

lol Don't forget that T. Jefferson rewrote the NT and called it 'The Jefferson Bible'. Between the 1st Amendment of the Constitution and the Treaty of Tripoli, I really don't know why Christians consider this a Christian country. Oh, I wonder if a Christian would think the OT is FULL of 'cruel and unusual' punishments. Oh, here's a B. Franklin quote that brings a smile to my face...'In beer there is freedom. In wine there is wisdom. In water, there is bacteria ;-) 'Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy'-B. Franklin (he also went to 'Hellfire' clubs/parties when in London) Edit: Desiree, yes. But I believe the point of this question is aimed at the belief in the founding of America, not the unreliability of that book of myths. Dood-I've seen them here and there. You could probably pull up a few sites but a link would be appreciated, too. 'It's that guy'-the God a deist believes in IS NOT the same as the deity the Christians say they believe in. It's just a creator that started the world off then left.

Answer 5

If Ur talking only of saving the Physical Life, yes, much more useful! IF (BIG IF) the "Church" (actually IF it is made up of True Christians) is spreading the world & seeing people Accept Christ, then NO, an inanimate object (lighthouse) CANNOT save a persons Soul for Eternity. These "Churches" are few & far between however. John

Answer 6

Darling, outhouses are more useful than Churches, what actual purpose does a building that sits emptey for 6 days and 23 hours a week serve?

Answer 7

Do not leave out John Adams!

"The question before the human race is, whether the God of nature shall govern the world by his own laws, or whether priests and kings shall rule it by fictitious miracles?"

"Let the human mind loose. It must be loose. It will be loose. Superstition and dogmatism cannot confine it."

-- John Adams

Answer 8

Lighthouses have saved lives and steered wayward ships away from danger.

By contrast christianity has resulted in the torture and death of millions or billions, has destroyed much of human knowledge and early progress, it advocates hatred and murder, continues to be a threat to our progress and knowledge to this day, and it further leads the wayward astray.

Answer 9

Yes. The lighthouse keeps a ship from being torn to pieces on the coast.

A church provides a reason for the clergy to ask for your money. You can worship anywhere.

Answer 10

No.He was a satanist and a member of the Hellfire Club.