Bertrand Russell Quote

It is no credit to the orthodox that they do not now believe all the absurdities that were believed 150 years ago. The gradual emasculation of the Christian doctrine has been effected in spite of the most vigorous resistance, and solely as the result of the onslaughts of freethinkers.

Why I am not a Christian, and other essays on religion and related subjects (ed. Touchstone, 1957)