Faith Quote by Arthur C. Clarke
““Imagine that you're an intelligent extraterrestrial, concerned only with verifiable truths. You discover a species that has divided itself into thousands - no, by now millions - of tribal groups holding an incredible variety of beliefs about the origin of the universe and the way to behave in it. Although many of them have ideas in common, even when there's 99% overlap, the remaining one percent's enough to set them killing and torturing each other, over trivial points of doctrine, utterly meaningless to outsiders. "How to account for such irrational behavior? (...) religion was the by-product of fear - a reaction to a mysterious and often hostile universe. For much of human prehistory, it may have been a necessary evil - but why was it so much more evil than necessary - and why did it survive when it was no longer necessary?””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “How to account for such irrational behavior?” from The Nine Billion Names of God, 1967
Human groups form many belief systems, leading to conflict over minor differences, often rooted in fear of the unknown.
In simple terms: Beliefs cause conflict when fear drives them.
Key Takeaway
Recognize fear’s role and promote shared values.
Themes
religion
conflict
human nature
fear
truth
Mood
reflective
critical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
analytical
thought‑provoking
When to use this quote
- interfaith dialogue
- education reform
- conflict mediation
- public policy
- media literacy
Key Concepts
anthropology
psychology
sociology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance respect for belief with preventing violence?
- What alternatives to fear‑based belief can foster cooperation?
A Different Perspective
Not all religious influence is harmful; some provide community and moral guidance.
