Atheists Quote by Joseph Lewis
““It is now established by verifiable evidence that religion stultifies the brain and is the great obstacle in the path of intellectual progress. The more religious a person is, the more he is steeped in ignorance and superstition, the less is his sense of moral responsibility. The more intelligent a person, the less religious he is. There is an old saying that 'where there are three scientists, there are two atheists.' The countries whose governments are dominated by religion and religious institutions are the most backward. By the same token, the countries whose people are the most enlightened, and whose governments are based upon the principle of secularism—the separation of church and state—are the most progressive. And let me tell you: When man is intellectually free, the progress he will make is beyond calculation.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Future of Religion, Joseph Lewis, 1930
Religion is portrayed as hindering intellectual growth and moral responsibility, while secular societies foster progress and freedom of thought.
In simple terms: Religion blocks intellect; secularism promotes progress.
Key Takeaway
Encourage critical thinking and secular values.
Themes
religion
intellectual freedom
secularism
progress
morality
Mood
critical
analytical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
argumentative
When to use this quote
- education reform
- policy making
- public discourse
- personal belief evaluation
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
social influence
political philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does personal faith affect moral behavior?
- Can secular societies still face ignorance?
A Different Perspective
The claim may overgeneralize and ignore positive aspects of faith communities.
![“JUST BECAUSE A BUNCH OF ATHEISTS ARE BETTER WRITERS THAN THE GUYS WHO WROTE THE BIBLE DOESN'T NECESSARILY MAKE THEM RIGHT!" [Owen Meany] said crossly. "LOOK AT THOSE WEIRDO TV MIRACLE-WORKERS--THEY'RE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO BELIEVE IN MAGIC! BUT THE REAL MIRACLES AREN'T ANYTHING YOU CAN…” quote by John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70e/john-irving-337_atheists_just-because-a-bunch-of-atheists-are-bet_31804.jpg)
![“Again, I hear almost everyday from atheists who write off religion as primitive, premodern nonsense. I summon Aquinas, Augustine, Paul [of Tarsus], Teresa of Avila, Joseph Ratzinger, and Edith Stein-in all their intellectual rigor-as allies in the the struggle against this dismissive atheism.” quote by Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/86d/robert-barron-13186_allies_again-i-hear-almost-everyday-from-atheis_35728.jpg)
