Plus ça change plus c'est la même chose

Inspired by CJ Sanson's portrayal of Katherine Parr in his Shardlake novels (in particular 'Lamentation') I read her work "The Lamentation of a sinner", originally published 1547, but in the 'modern version' (from Katherine Parr: Complete Works and Correspondence - edited by Janel Mueller, 2011). I came across the following:

"And even as much talk of the Word of God, without practicing the same in our living, is evil and detestable in the sight of God, so it is a lamentable thing to hear how there be many in the world that do not well digest the reading of scripture, and do commend and praise ignorance, and say that much knowledge of God's Word is the original (sic) of all dissensions, schisms and contention and maketh men haughty, proud, and presumptuous by the reading of the same." (ibid, p.476).

It reminded me of our times and "modern" atheist critique of religion in general. Truly plus ça change plus c'est la même chose!

Postscript: KP highlighted the fallacy of this critique thus:

"These men might be forced, by this kind of argument, to forsake the use of fire because fire burned their neighbours house ..." (Ibid, p.477).