--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The very fears and guilts imposed by…" description: "\"The very fears and guilts imposed by religious training are responsible for some of history's most brutal wars, crusades, pogroms, and persecutions, in..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe5/barbara-g-walker-41092_atheism_the-very-fears-and-guilts-imposed-by-rel_399594.jpg" --- # The very fears and guilts imposed by religious training… ![“The very fears and guilts imposed by religious training are responsible for some of history's most brutal wars, crusades, pogroms, and persecutions, including five centuries of almost unimaginable terrorism under Europe's Inquisition and the unthinkably sadistic legal murder of nearly nine million…” quote by Barbara G. Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe5/barbara-g-walker-41092_atheism_the-very-fears-and-guilts-imposed-by-rel_399594.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe5/barbara-g-walker-41092_atheism_the-very-fears-and-guilts-imposed-by-rel_399594.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe5/barbara-g-walker-41092_atheism_the-very-fears-and-guilts-imposed-by-rel_399594.jpg) > “The very fears and guilts imposed by religious training are responsible for some of history's most brutal wars, crusades, pogroms, and persecutions, including five centuries of almost unimaginable terrorism under Europe's Inquisition and the unthinkably sadistic legal murder of nearly nine million women. History doesn't say much very good about God.” [Barbara G. Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-g-walker/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Religious teachings that instill fear and guilt have fueled violent conflicts and oppression throughout history, casting doubt on divine benevolence. **In simple terms:** Fearful religious doctrine has caused wars and suffering. Key Takeaway Question harmful doctrines. Themes religion violence history Mood critical thoughtful Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - education - policy making - interfaith dialogue - social activism Key Concepts theology ethics human rights Questions to Reflect On - How do you differentiate constructive faith from destructive doctrine? - What role can critical thinking play in religious education? A Different Perspective Not all religious influence is negative; many inspire peace. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Brutal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brutal/) [Century](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/century/) [Crusades](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crusades/) [Crusades Pogroms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crusades-pogroms-2449948/) [Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe/) [Europe Inquisition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe-inquisition-3586688/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [Five](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/five/) [Guilt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guilt/) [History Brutal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history-brutal-3586687/) [Including](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/including/) [Inquisition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inquisition/) [Millions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/millions/) [Murder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/murder/) [Nine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nine/) [Persecution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persecution/) [Persecutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persecutions/) [Persecutions Including](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persecutions-including-3586686/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Responsible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsible/) [Sadistic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sadistic/) [Terrorism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrorism/) [Training](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/training/) [Unimaginable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unimaginable/) [Very good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/very-good/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Women in history](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/women-in-history/) ## Related quotes > [The European wars of religion were more deadly than the First World War, proportionally speaking, and in the range of the Second World War…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/the-european-wars-of-religion-were-more-deadly-than-the-first-world/) [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) > [“God shall have a starring role in my history of the world. How could it be otherwise? If He exists, then He is responsible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penelope-lively/god-shall-have-a-starring-role-in-my-history-of-the-world-how-could/) [Penelope Lively](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penelope-lively/) > [Afflictions, persecutions, imprisonments, and death, we must expect, according to the scriptures, which tell us that the blood of those whose souls were under…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/afflictions-persecutions-imprisonments-and-death-we-must-expect/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) > [Cruel persecutions and intolerance are not accidents, but grow out of the very essence of religion, namely, its absolute claims.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morris-raphael-cohen/cruel-persecutions-and-intolerance-are-not-accidents-but-grow-out-of/) [Morris Raphael Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morris-raphael-cohen/) > [The biggest religious wars and persecutions in history occur when religions, each claiming their own absolute truths, come into conflict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jacoby/the-biggest-religious-wars-and-persecutions-in-history-occur-when/) [Susan Jacoby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jacoby/) > [“How easily we abandon those who have suffered the same persecutions as we have. How quickly we grow impatient with their inability to transcend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larissa-lai/how-easily-we-abandon-those-who-have-suffered-the-same-persecutions/) [Larissa Lai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larissa-lai/) > [“The chopping block was not confined to one era, nor one form or country. There were many types of martyrdoms, spiritual as well as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-a-bucchianeri/the-chopping-block-was-not-confined-to-one-era-nor-one-form-or/) [E.A. Bucchianeri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-a-bucchianeri/) > [The whole history of the last thousands of years has been a history of religious persecutions and wars, pogroms, jihads, crusades. I find it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-weinberg/the-whole-history-of-the-last-thousands-of-years-has-been-a-history/) [Steven Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-weinberg/) > [Persecutions are inevitable as a Christian. We are not greater than our Master, Jesus Christ, in whose Holy Spirit we gain strength to endure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/persecutions-are-inevitable-as-a-christian-we-are-not-greater-than/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The most detestable wickedness, the most horrid cruelties, and the greatest miseries, that have afflicted the human race have had their origin in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/the-most-detestable-wickedness-the-most-horrid-cruelties-and-the/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Once again, through myself, the Church, in the words of the well-known declaration Nostra Aetate, 'deplores the hatred, persecutions and displays of anti-Semitism directed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/once-again-through-myself-the-church-in-the-words-of-the-well-known/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [People who prefer to believe the worst of others will breed war and religious persecutions while the world lasts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/people-who-prefer-to-believe-the-worst-of-others-will-breed-war-and/) [Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/) > [The Church of Christ has been founded by shedding its own blood, not that of others; by enduring outrage, not by inflicting it. Persecutions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/the-church-of-christ-has-been-founded-by-shedding-its-own-blood-not/) [St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/) > [“Look on the effect of your religions, those movements that have swept up millions with their fantastical claims. Look at what they have done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-rice/look-on-the-effect-of-your-religions-those-movements-that-have-swept/) [Anne Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-rice/) > [More Christians died for their faith at the hands of fellow Christians than had died before in all the persecutions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramsay-macmullen/more-christians-died-for-their-faith-at-the-hands-of-fellow/) [Ramsay MacMullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramsay-macmullen/) ## More by Barbara G. Walker > [In the beginning, in the time that was no time, nothing existed but the Womb. And the Womb was a limitless dark cauldron of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-g-walker/in-the-beginning-in-the-time-that-was-no-time-nothing-existed-but-the/) [Barbara G. Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-g-walker/) > [From a biological viewpoint, patriarchal religion denied women the natural rights of every other mammalian female: the right to choose her stud, to control…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-g-walker/from-a-biological-viewpoint-patriarchal-religion-denied-women-the/) [Barbara G. Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-g-walker/) > [...the history of early-medieval Arabia is nearly all legend. Like Buddha, Confucius, Jesus, and other founders of patriarchal religions, Mohammed lacks real verification. There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-g-walker/the-history-of-early-medieval-arabia-is-nearly-all-legend-like-buddha/) [Barbara G. Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-g-walker/) > [Male genitals are still called "the tree of life" by the Arabs, and a cross was one of the oldest diagrammatic images of male…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-g-walker/male-genitals-are-still-called-the-tree-of-life-by-the-arabs-and-a/) [Barbara G. Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-g-walker/) > [Faith in God necessarily implies a lack of faith in humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-g-walker/faith-in-god-necessarily-implies-a-lack-of-faith-in-humanity/) [Barbara G. Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-g-walker/) > [Credulity as a character trait is encouraged in every child who grows up with religious training, which invariably insists on the virtue of blind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-g-walker/credulity-as-a-character-trait-is-encouraged-in-every-child-who-grows/) [Barbara G. Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-g-walker/) > [The profoundly cynical premise of all religionists is that people are not capable of behaving decently toward one another unless they are lured with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-g-walker/the-profoundly-cynical-premise-of-all-religionists-is-that-people-are/) [Barbara G. Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-g-walker/) > [Because religious training means credulity training, churches should not be surprised to find that so many of their congregations accept astrology as readily as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-g-walker/because-religious-training-means-credulity-training-churches-should/) [Barbara G. Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-g-walker/) > [Men get together in pretentious councils to decide what God is, what God thinks, what God wants the rest of us to do for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-g-walker/men-get-together-in-pretentious-councils-to-decide-what-god-is-what/) [Barbara G. Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-g-walker/) [Explore all 10 Barbara G. Walker quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-g-walker/) ## More Atheism quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [No philosophy, no religion, has ever brought so glad a message to the world as this good news of Atheism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-besant/no-philosophy-no-religion-has-ever-brought-so-glad-a-message-to-the/) [Annie Besant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-besant/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [God speaks through me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/god-speaks-through-me/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [You cannot ... transmute some incoherent mixture of words into sense merely by introducing the three-letter word "God" to be its grammatical subject.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-flew/you-cannot-transmute-some-incoherent-mixture-of-words-into-sense/) [Antony Flew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-flew/) > [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/) [Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/) > [If, with all the time at my disposal, with all the wealth of the resources of this vast universe, to do with as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/if-with-all-the-time-at-my-disposal-with-all-the-wealth-of-the/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [Do you think that was kind? 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Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-c-clarke/) > [Honest investigation is utterly impossible within the pale of any church, for the reason, that if you think the church is right you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/honest-investigation-is-utterly-impossible-within-the-pale-of-any/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) [Browse all 4,769 Atheism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The very fears and guilts imposed by religious training are responsible for some of history's most brutal wars, crusades, pogroms, and persecutions, including five centuries of almost unimaginable terrorism under Europe's Inquisition and the unthinkably sadistic legal murder of nearly nine million women. History doesn't say much very good about God.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Barbara G. 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