Sunday, March 08, 2009

Quote of the day

"We are better instructed in the mild and forbearing spirit of Christianity than ever to think of recourse to violence - and can you think that such conduct as yours [offers] any recommendation of your religious principles in preference to ours?" - Joseph Priestley, "Letter to the Inhabitants of Birmingham, Following the Riots of 14 July 1791"

English rioters had burned down Priestley's home because they considered his Unitarian religious beliefs and support for French revolution a threat to "God and country."

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