Voltaire, a French author, humanist, rationalist (1694 - 1778), held up a copy of the Bible in the air and smugly proclaimed,
"In 100 years this book will be forgotten and eliminated...".
Shortly after his death, Voltaire’s private residence became the headquarters of the Geneva Bible Society and became a major distribution hub for the very Bible he assigned to extinction.
I thought this was kind of funny.
Your comments?
2007-07-13 20:18:30 · 19 answers · asked by RG 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well, he wasn't too far off. Christianity has been on a steady decline for quite some time, so I guess he's rolling around in his grave for the time being. That is, until it's gone for good.
2007-07-13 20:21:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The heirs of Voltaire showed little respect to Voltair by selling his house to the Geneva Bible Society.
2007-07-14 03:23:17 · answer #2 · answered by gjmb1960 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ironic certainly - I wonder how many people have actually read it. Some of it is certainly interesting. As for the being the word of God, well I will leave that determination to other souls. If it turns out all that Da Vinci stuff is right, then I look forward to the Magdalene gospels.
Yes, I know I will probably go hell.
2007-07-14 03:23:18 · answer #3 · answered by wanderjahre 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was right.... not about the length of time it'll take, but about the inevitability of the Bible being relegated to the same status as the ancient writings on Quetzalcoatl, Zeus, Dionysus, etc.
2007-07-14 03:28:57 · answer #4 · answered by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like exactly the kind of cynical move a bunch of bible thumpers would make. Great little piece of marketing. That's one of the reasons Christianity is still one the world's most successful cults.
2007-07-14 03:22:39 · answer #5 · answered by link955 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Makes me sad. Voltaire obviously underestimated the stupidity of mankind.
2007-07-14 03:21:29 · answer #6 · answered by The Bog Nug 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Can this be a possiility?
Voltaire's house was purchased by the bible society threatening his hiers?!!!!
2007-07-14 03:26:57 · answer #7 · answered by senthil r 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Voltaire was a great poet, I dont hold him responsible for humanities lack of evolution.
2007-07-14 03:24:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Voltaire's prediction may have materialised, if not for the rise and rise of the neocons and zioncons!
2007-07-14 03:37:13 · answer #9 · answered by namdam 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's nothing; for 2000 years Christians have been predicting the return of Christ and THAT hasn't happened yet!
I love you too, Miranda! ;)
2007-07-14 03:26:12 · answer #10 · answered by Jack B, sinistral 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋