Awards Quote by Christopher Hitchens
“Here is the point about myself and my co-thinkers. Our belief is not a belief. Our principles are not a faith. We do not hold our convictions dogmatically. We believe with certainty that an ethical life can be lived without religion. And we know for a fact that the corollary holds true - that religion has caused innumerate people not just to conduct themselves no better than others, but to award themselves permission to behave in ways that would make a brothel-keeper or an ethnic cleanser raise an eyebrow.”
About This Quote
The author argues that morality can be grounded without religion, and that religion often justifies harmful behavior.
In simple terms: Morality can exist without faith; religion can enable wrongdoing.
Key Takeaway
Consider ethical frameworks independent of religion.
Themes
ethics
religion
morality
humanism
critique
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
argumentative
When to use this quote
- personal belief
- public discourse
- policy debates
Key Concepts
secularism
moral philosophy
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies foster ethics without religious institutions?
- What are examples of secular moral systems?
A Different Perspective
Religion can also inspire compassion and community, which the quote overlooks.
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![“[Religion] attacks us in our deepest integrity - the core of our self-respect. Religion says that we would not know right from wrong, we would not know an evil, wicked act from a decent human act without divine permission, without divine authority or without, even worse, either the fear of a…” quote by Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ab6/christopher-hitchens-117_action_religion-attacks-us-in-our-deepest-integ_23299.jpg)
