--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [R]eligion was the race's first (and…" description: "\"“[R]eligion was the race's first (and worst) attempt to make sense of reality. It was the best the species could do at a time when we had no concept of..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15c/christopher-hitchens-117_digestive-system_r-eligion-was-the-race-s-first-and-worst_1384906.jpg" --- # \[R\]eligion was the race's first (and worst) attempt to… ![“[R]eligion was the race's first (and worst) attempt to make sense of reality. It was the best the species could do at a time when we had no concept of physics, chemistry, biology or medicine. We did not know that we lived on a round planet, let alone that the said planet was in orbit in a minor…” quote by Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15c/christopher-hitchens-117_digestive-system_r-eligion-was-the-race-s-first-and-worst_1384906.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15c/christopher-hitchens-117_digestive-system_r-eligion-was-the-race-s-first-and-worst_1384906.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15c/christopher-hitchens-117_digestive-system_r-eligion-was-the-race-s-first-and-worst_1384906.jpg) > ““\[R\]eligion was the race's first (and worst) attempt to make sense of reality. It was the best the species could do at a time when we had no concept of physics, chemistry, biology or medicine. We did not know that we lived on a round planet, let alone that the said planet was in orbit in a minor and obscure solar system, which was also on the edge of an unimaginably vast cosmos that was exploding away from its original source of energy. We did not know that micro-organisms were so powerful and lived in our digestive systems in order to enable us to live, as well as mounting lethal attacks on us as parasites. We did not know of our close kinship with other animals. We believed that sprites, imps, demons, and djinns were hovering in the air about us. We imagined that thunder and lightning were portentous. It has taken us a long time to shrug off this heavy coat of ignorance and fear, and every time we do there are self-interested forces who want to compel us to put it back on again.”” [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Religion arose as early humanity’s attempt to explain the world before science; it persists despite scientific progress, often reinforced by power interests. **In simple terms:** Religion began as early explanations, now challenged by science. Key Takeaway Question beliefs and seek evidence. Themes science religion history knowledge power Mood critical thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - education reform - public policy - personal belief systems - media literacy Key Concepts epistemology skepticism cognitive bias Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance faith and reason? - What role should religion play in modern society? A Different Perspective Religious belief can provide community and meaning beyond pure logic. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Solar system](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solar-system/) [Thunder and lightning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thunder-and-lightning/) ## Related quotes > [“Religion invents a problem where none exists by describing the wicked as also made in the image of god and the sexually nonconformist as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/religion-invents-a-problem-where-none-exists-by-describing-the-wicked/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [We live in an age of artificial scarcity, maintained by ignorance and fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-anton-wilson/we-live-in-an-age-of-artificial-scarcity-maintained-by-ignorance-and/) [Robert Anton Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-anton-wilson/) > [Todays a new day. Its your day. You shape it. Dont let it be shaped by someone elses ignorance or fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/todays-a-new-day-its-your-day-you-shape-it-dont-let-it-be-shaped-by/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [“Ignorance and fear create the gods, enthusiasm and deceit adorn them, and human weakness worships them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-mcneill/ignorance-and-fear-create-the-gods-enthusiasm-and-deceit-adorn-them/) [Graham McNeill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-mcneill/) > [In the soil of ignorance, fear can easily be sown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-brooke/in-the-soil-of-ignorance-fear-can-easily-be-sown/) [Heather Brooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-brooke/) > [If we go back to the beginning, we shall find that ignorance and fear created the gods; that fancy, enthusiasm, or deceit adorned them;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/if-we-go-back-to-the-beginning-we-shall-find-that-ignorance-and-fear-2/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [Ignorance and fear are but matters of the mind - and the mind is adaptable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kish/ignorance-and-fear-are-but-matters-of-the-mind-and-the-mind-is/) Daniel Kish > [“It is easier to exploit and manipulate people if they are fearful or confused, (and discouraged from trusting their own judgment). Our investigation identifies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-waterman/it-is-easier-to-exploit-and-manipulate-people-if-they-are-fearful-or/) [Daniel Waterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-waterman/) > [Out of ignorance and fear comes judgment and division.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-furnish/out-of-ignorance-and-fear-comes-judgment-and-division/) [David Furnish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-furnish/) > [“If we go back to the beginning we shall find that ignorance and fear created the gods; that fancy, enthusiasm, or deceit adorned or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-d-holbach-2/if-we-go-back-to-the-beginning-we-shall-find-that-ignorance-and-fear/) Baron D. Holbach > [“The key is to understand the source of pride. It stems from ignorance and fear.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-scouller/the-key-is-to-understand-the-source-of-pride-it-stems-from-ignorance/) [James Scouller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-scouller/) > [If we go back to the beginnings of things, we shall always find that ignorance and fear created the gods; that imagination, rapture and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-d-holbach/if-we-go-back-to-the-beginnings-of-things-we-shall-always-find-that/) [Baron d'Holbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-d-holbach/) > [Quick to judge quick to anger slow to understand ignorance and fear walk hand in hand...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/quick-to-judge-quick-to-anger-slow-to-understand-ignorance-and-fear/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The life of the intolerant and the racist is a life without own life, and therefore driven by the ignorance and the fear of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul-malfatti/the-life-of-the-intolerant-and-the-racist-is-a-life-without-own-life/) [Jean-Paul Malfatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul-malfatti/) > [“The war mentality represents an unfortunate confluence of ignorance, fear, prejudice, and profit. ... The ignorance exists in its own right and is further…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabor-mat/the-war-mentality-represents-an-unfortunate-confluence-of-ignorance/) [Gabor Maté](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabor-mat/) ## More by Christopher Hitchens > [“The spirit of our accurate and exact philosophy is outraged by conclusions that contradict each other so glaringly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/the-spirit-of-our-accurate-and-exact-philosophy-is-outraged-by/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [“Many governments employ torture but this was the first time that the element of Saturnalia and pornography in the process had been made so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/many-governments-employ-torture-but-this-was-the-first-time-that-the/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [ It's \[Los Angeles\] mostly full of nonsense and delusion and egomania. They think they'll be young and beautiful forever, even though most of them… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/it-s-los-angeles-mostly-full-of-nonsense-and-delusion-and-egomania/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [To be against rationalization is not the same as to be opposed to reasoning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/to-be-against-rationalization-is-not-the-same-as-to-be-opposed-to/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [ \[Religion\] attacks us in our deepest integrity - the core of our self-respect. Religion says that we would not know right from wrong, we… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/religion-attacks-us-in-our-deepest-integrity-the-core-of-our-self/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [“In the very recent past, we have seen the Church of Rome befouled by its complicity with the unpardonable sin of child rape, or,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/in-the-very-recent-past-we-have-seen-the-church-of-rome-befouled-by/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [It's surprising to me how many of my friends send Christmas cards, or holiday cards, including my atheist and secular friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/it-s-surprising-to-me-how-many-of-my-friends-send-christmas-cards-or/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [Suppose there were groups of secularists at hospitals who went round the terminally ill and urged them to adopt atheism: 'Don't be a mug…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/suppose-there-were-groups-of-secularists-at-hospitals-who-went-round/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [There are, after all, atheists who say they wish the fable were true but are unable to suspend the requisite disbelief, or who have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/there-are-after-all-atheists-who-say-they-wish-the-fable-were-true/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [“It isn’t so long since a test of Anglican orthodoxy was applied to anyone seeking to study or teach at Oxford and Cambridge universities.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/it-isn-t-so-long-since-a-test-of-anglican-orthodoxy-was-applied-to/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [Gullibility and credulity are considered undesireable qualities in every department of human life - except religion ... Why are we praised by godly men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/gullibility-and-credulity-are-considered-undesireable-qualities-in/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [It's much worse to see a woman drunk than a man: I don't know quite why this is true but it just is. Don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/it-s-much-worse-to-see-a-woman-drunk-than-a-man-i-don-t-know-quite/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [It's true that obscenity is a matter of taste and in the eye of the beholder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/it-s-true-that-obscenity-is-a-matter-of-taste-and-in-the-eye-of-the/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [I worked out early on to give up things I couldn't do well at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/i-worked-out-early-on-to-give-up-things-i-couldn-t-do-well-at-all/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [Writing is what's important to me, and anything that helps me do that - or enhances and prolongs and deepens and sometimes intensifies argument…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/writing-is-what-s-important-to-me-and-anything-that-helps-me-do-that/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) [Explore all 1,241 Christopher Hitchens quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) ## More Digestive system quotes > [I'm a big fan of the digestive system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-macaulay/i-m-a-big-fan-of-the-digestive-system/) [David Macaulay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-macaulay/) > [In college, I would eat a lot of Five Guys and burgers. Everybody eats differently, but that's not the best for your digestive system,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caris-levert/in-college-i-would-eat-a-lot-of-five-guys-and-burgers-everybody-eats/) [Caris LeVert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caris-levert/) > [“Humble pie tastes horrible but is great for the digestive system.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sissy-silva/humble-pie-tastes-horrible-but-is-great-for-the-digestive-system/) Sissy Silva > [“But the reformers were right: the bovine digestive system is an extraordinarily efficient mechanism for converting grass, fodder, and even forage into fertilizer.15 Their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-johnson/but-the-reformers-were-right-the-bovine-digestive-system-is-an/) [Walter Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-johnson/) > [“I'll buy lunch." "Not Hungry." I laughed. He said, "I can't stand when you do that." "Do what?" "Assume I'm ruled by my digestive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-kellerman/i-ll-buy-lunch-not-hungry-i-laughed-he-said-i-can-t-stand-when-you-do/) [Jonathan Kellerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-kellerman/) > [“I don't think that, when future generations look at the apartheid struggle, they will see it as quite the momentous literary cauldron that recent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-cartwright/i-don-t-think-that-when-future-generations-look-at-the-apartheid/) [Justin Cartwright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-cartwright/) > [Your digestive system is your body's Fun House, whereby food goes on a long, dark, scary ride, taking all kinds of unexpected twists and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/your-digestive-system-is-your-body-s-fun-house-whereby-food-goes-on-a/) [Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/) > [“a traditional approach to dining, a far less hurried one, that many people in France enjoy. They take the time to savor the meal,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-prentice/a-traditional-approach-to-dining-a-far-less-hurried-one-that-many/) [Steve Prentice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-prentice/) > [“Religion invents a problem where none exists by describing the wicked as also made in the image of god and the sexually nonconformist as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/religion-invents-a-problem-where-none-exists-by-describing-the-wicked/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [Fish and chips by nature are greasy, so we put vinegar on it and we like it because it helps our digestive system. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-torode/fish-and-chips-by-nature-are-greasy-so-we-put-vinegar-on-it-and-we/) [John Torode](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-torode/) > [“I found this, though," Gazzy said excitedly, holding up a small green box. "Gas-X! Like, 'X' for explosion! This is great! I'm thinking I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/i-found-this-though-gazzy-said-excitedly-holding-up-a-small-green-box/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [“Doug and Jeannette DeLawter enjoy sharing this recipe. It is a delicious light soup that is also easy on the digestive system and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-compart/doug-and-jeannette-delawter-enjoy-sharing-this-recipe-it-is-a/) [Pamela Compart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-compart/) > [“Nuts and seeds were third on the nutrient-density scale, with about one-third the score of organ meats. However, most nuts and seeds contain phytates,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kresser/nuts-and-seeds-were-third-on-the-nutrient-density-scale-with-about/) [Chris Kresser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-kresser/) > [Because of media hype and woefully inadequate information, too many people nowadays are deathly afraid of their food, and what does fear of food…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-child/because-of-media-hype-and-woefully-inadequate-information-too-many/) [Julia Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-child/) > [“In fact, according to physicians, the functioning of the digestion depends less on the brain than on hormonal mechanisms and autoregulators. However, during a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adalbert-de-vogue/in-fact-according-to-physicians-the-functioning-of-the-digestion/) [Adalbert De Vogue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adalbert-de-vogue/) Browse all 48 Digestive system quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“[R]eligion was the race's first (and worst) attempt to make sense of reality. It was the best the species could do at a time when we had no concept of physics, chemistry, biology or medicine. We did not know that we lived on a round planet, let alone that the said planet was in orbit in a minor and obscure solar system, which was also on the edge of an unimaginably vast cosmos that was exploding away from its original source of energy. We did not know that micro-organisms were so powerful and lived in our digestive systems in order to enable us to live, as well as mounting lethal attacks on us as parasites. 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