They know they dare not have their stuff stripped down to plain words. These Bishops and parsons with their beloved Christianity are like a man who has poisoned his wife and says her body's too sacred for a post-mortem. Nowadays, by the light we have, any ecclesiastic must be born blind or an intellectual rascal. Don't tell me. The world's had this apostolic succession of oily old humbugs from early Egypt onwards, trying to come it over people. Antiquity's no excuse. A sham is no better for being six thousand years stale. Christianity's no more use to us now thanthe Pyramids.
The quote expresses a strong condemnation of religious leaders, particularly bishops and parsons, who cling to their traditions and teachings despite their irrelevance in contemporary society. The author, H. G. Wells, likens them to a man who refuses to allow an examination of a poisoned body, highlighting their unwillingness to face the truth about the hollow nature of their faith. He suggests that these figures are either willfully ignorant or deceitful, misleading people under the guise of spirituality.
Wells further argues that the long history of Christianity does not lend it validity or worth in modern times, comparing it unfavorably to ancient structures like the Pyramids. He implies that just because something has existed for thousands of years does not mean it deserves respect or adherence. In his view, the persistence of outdated beliefs is a disservice to humanity, as they offer no real value or guidance in today's world.
