My own view on religion is that of Lucretius. I regard it…
“My own view on religion is that of Lucretius. I regard it as a disease born of fear and as a source of untold misery to the human race. I cannot, however, deny that it has made some contributions to civilisation. It helped in early days to fix the calendar, and it caused Egyptian priests to chronicle eclipses with such care that in time they became able to predict them. These two services I am prepared to acknowledge, but I do not know of any others.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Religion is portrayed as a fear‑driven disease causing suffering, though it has offered practical benefits like calendar fixing and eclipse prediction.
In simple terms: Religion can cause misery but also gave useful knowledge.
Key Takeaway
Recognize both harms and limited benefits of religion.
Themes
religion
fear
civilisation
science
Mood
critical
analytical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
controversial
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- personal belief
- cultural analysis
- policy making
Key Concepts
epistemology
history
anthropology
Questions to Reflect On
- What aspects of religion do you find most harmful?
- Can secular institutions replace its practical contributions?
A Different Perspective
Religion’s positive contributions are minor compared to its broader negative impact.