Character Quote by George H. Smith
““Religion has had the disastrous effect of placing vitally important concepts, such as morality, happiness and love, in a supernatural realm inaccessible to man’s mind and knowledge.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Secular Outlook, 1995
Placing core values in a supernatural realm separates them from human understanding, limiting moral and emotional development.
In simple terms: Supernatural framing limits moral understanding.
Key Takeaway
Ground values in human experience.
Themes
morality
secularism
humanism
knowledge
love
Mood
critical
inquisitive
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- education
- public policy
- personal relationships
- community building
Key Concepts
ethics
philosophy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- Can morality exist without religion?
- How does secular grounding affect love and happiness?
A Different Perspective
Some find meaning in spiritual frameworks, which can also inspire morality.
![“The negative way [of describing God] is a cardboard prop of Christianity to conceal its unknowable God. When this prop collapses, theistic agnosticism emerges, complete with its package of contradictions and non-sensical utterances.” quote by George H. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/86f/george-h-smith-20207_agnosticism_the-negative-way-of-describing-god-is-a_433133.jpg)
