Religion is based primarily upon fear. It is partly the…
““Religion is based primarily upon fear. It is partly the terror of the unknown and partly as the wish to feel that you have a kind of elder brother who will stand by you in all your troubles and disputes. Fear of the mysterious, fear of defeat, fear of death. Fear is the parent of cruelty, and therefore it is no wonder if cruelty and religion have gone hand in hand. It is because fear is at the basis of those two things. In this world we can now begin a little to understand things, and a little to master them by help of science, which has forced its way step by step against the opposition of all the old precepts. Science can help us to get over this craven fear in which mankind has lived for so many generations. Science can teach us, and I think our own hearts can teach us, no longer to look around for imaginary supports, no longer to invent allies in the sky, but rather to look to our own efforts here below to make this world a fit place to live in, instead of the place that the churches in all these centuries have made it.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Religion often stems from fear of the unknown and a desire for protective allies, leading to cruelty; science offers a way to overcome this fear through understanding and personal effort.
In simple terms: Religion is fear‑based; science reduces fear.
Key Takeaway
Use reason and science to replace fear‑driven beliefs.
Themes
fear
religion
science
cruelty
humanism
Mood
thoughtful
critical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- education
- policy making
- interfaith dialogue
- secular governance
Key Concepts
existentialism
skepticism
empiricism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies transition from fear‑based belief to evidence‑based confidence?
- What role should compassion play when challenging religious doctrines?
A Different Perspective
Science cannot instantly erase deep‑rooted emotional comforts provided by faith.