Authority is granted by communities, not inherent in texts o... - Jonathan Z. Smith

"Authority is granted by communities, not inherent in texts or persons."

Jonathan Z. Smith Power

Historian of Religion American 1938–2017

More from Jonathan Z. Smith

"Religion is not about believing things. It is about belonging to things."

"The real issue is not belief, but belonging."

"Comparison is a fundamental cognitive tool."

"There is no data that is absolutely sacred."

"Power without control is just destruction."

"Power is not about control, it's about influence"

"The world doesn't need me to be the hero. It just needs me to be dangerous."

"The claws come out when I need them to."