--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The whole conception of a God is a…" description: "\"The whole conception of a God is a conception derived from the ancient oriental despotisms. It is a conception quite unworthy of free men. We ought to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cd/bertrand-russell-69_age_the-whole-conception-of-a-god-is-a-conce_262054.jpg" --- # The whole conception of a God is a conception derived from… ![“The whole conception of a God is a conception derived from the ancient oriental despotisms. It is a conception quite unworthy of free men. We ought to stand up and look the world frankly in the face. We ought to make the best we can of the world, and if it is not so good as we wish, after all it…” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cd/bertrand-russell-69_age_the-whole-conception-of-a-god-is-a-conce_262054.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cd/bertrand-russell-69_age_the-whole-conception-of-a-god-is-a-conce_262054.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cd/bertrand-russell-69_age_the-whole-conception-of-a-god-is-a-conce_262054.jpg) > “The whole conception of a God is a conception derived from the ancient oriental despotisms. It is a conception quite unworthy of free men. We ought to stand up and look the world frankly in the face. We ought to make the best we can of the world, and if it is not so good as we wish, after all it will still be better than what these others have made of it in all these ages.” [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Russell argues that the idea of God originates from oppressive ancient societies and is unsuitable for free-thinking individuals; we should confront reality directly and strive to improve it, even if imperfect. **In simple terms:** God concept stems from old tyrannies; free people should face reality and improve it. Key Takeaway Challenge oppressive beliefs and work to better the world. Themes philosophy criticism freedom humanism Mood critical determined optimistic Type philosophical provocative inspirational When to use this quote - political activism - personal development - social reform - education - public discourse Key Concepts theology authoritarianism rationalism Questions to Reflect On - What assumptions about God influence your actions? - How can we create meaning without divine authority? A Different Perspective The argument may overlook positive moral frameworks derived from religion. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Ancient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancient/) [Conception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conception/) [Despotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despotism/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Free man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-man/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Positive atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-atheism/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [The whole conception of God is a conception derived from the ancient Oriental despotisms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/the-whole-conception-of-god-is-a-conception-derived-from-the-ancient/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [“We want to stand upon our own feet and look fair and square at the world - its good facts, its bad facts, its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/we-want-to-stand-upon-our-own-feet-and-look-fair-and-square-at-the/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [The hero of the book does long to experience God. 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God has compensated for Christianity’s violent history by revealing that innocent blood does not have to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bauvard/spontaneous-abortion-the-opposite-of-immaculate-conception-god-has/) [Bauvard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bauvard/) > [“The desire for guidance, love, and support prompts men to form the social or moral conception of God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-desire-for-guidance-love-and-support-prompts-men-to-form-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [It depends on your specific conception of God, because belief can equally well leave you with this constant sense that you're coming up short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-achenbach/it-depends-on-your-specific-conception-of-god-because-belief-can/) [Joel Achenbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-achenbach/) > [“The higher a man’s conception of God, the better will he know Him. 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Earlier, I defined the soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-scott-peck-md/in-many-ways-the-acceptance-of-any-evidence-of-god-involves-a-battle/) [M Scott Peck MD](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-scott-peck-md/) > [Nothing twists and deforms the soul more than a low or unworthy conception of God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/nothing-twists-and-deforms-the-soul-more-than-a-low-or-unworthy/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) ## More by Bertrand Russell > [ If the State does not acquire supremacy over \[vast private\] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy-over-vast-private-enterprises/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [That the world is in a bad shape is undeniable, but there is not the faintest reason in history to suppose that Christianity offers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/that-the-world-is-in-a-bad-shape-is-undeniable-but-there-is-not-the/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [All movements go too far.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/all-movements-go-too-far/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [Those who advocate common usage in philosophy sometimes speak in a manner that suggests the mystique of the 'common man.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/those-who-advocate-common-usage-in-philosophy-sometimes-speak-in-a/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [“Such, in outline, but even more purposeless, more void of meaning, is the world which Science presents for our belief. 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