Ive spent the last 50 years or so steeping myself in the worlds religions, and Ive done my homework. Ive gone to each of the worlds eight great religions and sought out the most profound scholars I could find, and Ive apprenticed myself to them and actually practiced each faith. – Huston Smith
If Rumi is the most-read poet in America today, Coleman Barks is in good part responsible. His ear for the truly divine madness in Rumi’s poetry is really remarkable. – Huston Smith
Rationalism and Newtonian science has lured us into dark woods, but a new metaphysics can rescue us. – Huston Smith
First of all, my persuasion is what really breeds violence is political differences. But because religion serves as the soul of community, it gets drawn into the fracas and turns up the heat. – Huston Smith
Ever since the Crusades, when Christians from western Europe were fighting holy wars against Muslims in the near east, western people have often perceived Islam as a violent and intolerant faith – even though when this prejudice took root Islam had a better record of tolerance than Christianity. – Karen Armstrong