Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page Butler D. Shaffer Quote “The State…has had a vested interest in promoting attitudes that would tend to make us skeptical of our own abilities, fearful of the motives of others, and emotionally dependent upon external authorities for purpose and direction in our lives.” ~ Butler D. Shaffer Professor, Southwestern University School of LawCalculated Chaos, 1985 Authority , Conformity , Defense , Despotism , Fascism , Fear , Government , Independence , Prohibition , Propaganda , Skepticism , Sovereignty , Terrorism , Totalitarian Ratings and Comments Reply Robert, Sarasota 6/27/06 When you are dumb and ignorant you are totally dependent on politicians and the church, and that is very dangerous -- the more ignorant we are the easier we are to manipulate. The usual ploy is to go on the offensive against factions when in reality it should be the other way round. Reply Joe, Rochester, MI 6/27/06 TERRORISM: The unlawful use of force by an organized group against people with the intention of coercing society for political reasons. Our government violates the U.S. Constitution and our rights ... daily. According to The Patriot Act, our own government is a terrorist organization! Reply Anonymous, Reston, VA US 6/27/06 While this seems to be an accurate description of how the GOP and RRR are running the state in America today, there is nothing inherant about this state of affairs. So, while I concur with both Robert's and Joe's statements above, I find this Shaffer quote unworthy. 1 Reply E Archer, NYC 6/27/06 Anon from Reston has no trouble blaming Republicans for any and everything, yet, his denial of the Statist principles of the Left are just an example of the hypocrisy of a 'party-man'. Any quote that casts a shadow on his beloved Democrats gets an immediate 'ZERO'. It is ignorance like this that goes to show how well the statist indoctrination has taken hold of him and many like him. His responses are as predictable as the setting sun -- just as was planned for him. Snap out of it. Reply D.L., Bozeman, MT 6/27/06 As in promoting attitudes for an unjustified war, hmmmm. Reply Mike, Norwalk 6/27/06 The State's vested interest in sectarianism as the national establishment of religion, i.e. promoting attitudes against the motives of all other religions has made fearful skeptics emotionally dependent upon external authorities. All religions (believing in that which is greater than the human experience, political, etc.) have developed to address the perceptions and experiences of man (some more, some less accurate in the eternal scheme of things). The dissection of all religions will reveal that which made the individual and his society greater or more deviate. True freedom of religion would eliminate much ignorance and the current state's tyranny, and prove the above quote's truthfulness. Reply Scott, Costa Mesa, Ca. 11/5/09 Sounds EXACTLY what the Obama Admistration is Pulling Off!!! Reply jim k, austin tx 3/17/14 Those "external authorities" just might be the government. SaveOk2 SaveOk2 View CommentsClick to view or comment. Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print This Butler D. Shaffer quote is found in these categories: Authority quotes Conformity quotes Defense quotes Despotism quotes Fascism quotes Fear quotes Government quotes Independence quotes Prohibition quotes Propaganda quotes Skepticism quotes Sovereignty quotes Terrorism quotes Totalitarian quotes About Butler D. Shaffer Bio of Butler D. Shaffer Quotations by Butler D. Shaffer Books by/about Butler D. Shaffer Butler D. Shaffer videos Butler D. Shaffer on Wikipedia Astrological chart for Butler D. Shaffer