--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Religion is interesting because it brings…" description: "\"Religion is interesting because it brings out the best and the worst in humanity. It can be a source of good deeds, whether it's people from different ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/600/josh-gad-15191_backgrounds_religion-is-interesting-because-it-bring_1233699.png" --- # Religion is interesting because it brings out the best and… ![“Religion is interesting because it brings out the best and the worst in humanity. It can be a source of good deeds, whether it's people from different spiritual backgrounds coming together to help other people in need after a crisis. But it's also a cause for war and bloodshed.” quote by Josh Gad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/600/josh-gad-15191_backgrounds_religion-is-interesting-because-it-bring_1233699.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/600/josh-gad-15191_backgrounds_religion-is-interesting-because-it-bring_1233699.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/600/josh-gad-15191_backgrounds_religion-is-interesting-because-it-bring_1233699.png) > “Religion is interesting because it brings out the best and the worst in humanity. It can be a source of good deeds, whether it's people from different spiritual backgrounds coming together to help other people in need after a crisis. But it's also a cause for war and bloodshed.” [Josh Gad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-gad/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Religion can inspire both altruism and conflict, reflecting humanity's dual capacity. **In simple terms:** Religion can bring good and bad. Key Takeaway Recognize both sides of faith. Themes faith human nature duality Mood reflective critical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - charitable work - interfaith dialogue - policy making Key Concepts altruism conflict social cohesion Questions to Reflect On - How can we harness faith for peace? - What safeguards prevent faith from fueling violence? A Different Perspective Religious motivations can be complex and politicized. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Backgrounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/backgrounds/) [Bloodshed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bloodshed/) [Cause War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cause-war-284194/) [Causes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/causes/) [Coming together](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coming-together/) [Crisis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crisis/) [Deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deeds/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Good deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-deeds/) [Helping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping/) [Helping others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping-others/) [Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity/) [Interesting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interesting/) [Interesting Brings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interesting-brings-3825163/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religion Interesting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion-interesting-2773148/) [Source](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/source/) [Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual/) [Together](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/together/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Worst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worst/) ## Related quotes > [Certainly I see the scientific view of the world as incompatible with religion, but that is not what is interesting about it. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/certainly-i-see-the-scientific-view-of-the-world-as-incompatible-with/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [I got into pastoring because of the art form. I started a church, but I felt the art form needed to be freed for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/i-got-into-pastoring-because-of-the-art-form-i-started-a-church-but-i/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [In Israel, you see strong borders as the best way to ensure peace, while in Europe, people see it as a cause of war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-murray/in-israel-you-see-strong-borders-as-the-best-way-to-ensure-peace/) [Douglas Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-murray/) > [I would absolutely refuse any direct or indirect war service and would try to persuade my friends to do the same, regardless of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/i-would-absolutely-refuse-any-direct-or-indirect-war-service-and/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [To secede from the Union and set up another government would cause war. If you go to war with the United States, you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-houston/to-secede-from-the-union-and-set-up-another-government-would-cause/) [Sam Houston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-houston/) > [Do you want to know the cause of war? It is capitalism, greed, the dirty hunger for dollars. Take away the capitalist and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/do-you-want-to-know-the-cause-of-war-it-is-capitalism-greed-the-dirty/) [Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/) > [This country was taken into war based on lies about weapons of mass destruction and Al Qaeda's role with respect to Iraq, which there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-kucinich/this-country-was-taken-into-war-based-on-lies-about-weapons-of-mass/) [Dennis Kucinich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-kucinich/) > [There are only two questions that human beings have ever fought over, all through history. 'How much do you love me?' And, 'Who's in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/there-are-only-two-questions-that-human-beings-have-ever-fought-over/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [“The British government in 1807 had issued the “Orders in Council,” which enforced a naval blockade against France, and with a shortage of seamen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/the-british-government-in-1807-had-issued-the-orders-in-council-which/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [“And so there was no single cause for war, but it happened simply because it had to happen”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/and-so-there-was-no-single-cause-for-war-but-it-happened-simply/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [There can be no peace among men and nations, so long as the strong continues to oppress the weak, so long as injustice is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-garvey/there-can-be-no-peace-among-men-and-nations-so-long-as-the-strong/) [Marcus Garvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-garvey/) > [When a rapidly rising power rivals an established ruling power, trouble ensues. In 11 of 15 cases in which this has occurred in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-t-allison/when-a-rapidly-rising-power-rivals-an-established-ruling-power/) [Graham T. Allison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-t-allison/) > [A just fear of an imminent danger, though be no blow given, is a lawful cause of war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/a-just-fear-of-an-imminent-danger-though-be-no-blow-given-is-a-lawful/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [We should talk about the ultimate cause of war. It's a question we should never stop asking, because if we do, there's a chance,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaron-lanier/we-should-talk-about-the-ultimate-cause-of-war-it-s-a-question-we/) [Jaron Lanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaron-lanier/) > [A just fear of an imminent danger, though there be no blow given, is a lawful cause of war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon-sr/a-just-fear-of-an-imminent-danger-though-there-be-no-blow-given-is-a/) [Francis Bacon Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon-sr/) ## More by Josh Gad > [Melissa McCarthy just opened this new movie, 'Identity Thief,' and Rex Reed, who's a known critic, wrote a scathing commentary on her weight. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-gad/melissa-mccarthy-just-opened-this-new-movie-identity-thief-and-rex/) [Josh Gad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-gad/) > [I'm unfortunately very verbose too often.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-gad/i-m-unfortunately-very-verbose-too-often/) [Josh Gad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-gad/) > [I love polarizing people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-gad/i-love-polarizing-people/) [Josh Gad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-gad/) > [I really love the traditional aspects of Judaism. My wife is born and raised a Catholic and I enjoy celebrating those rituals as well.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-gad/i-really-love-the-traditional-aspects-of-judaism-my-wife-is-born-and/) [Josh Gad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-gad/) > [It's funny because 'The Book of Mormon' is 'The Book of Mormon' now. When I was doing it at the very beginning, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-gad/it-s-funny-because-the-book-of-mormon-is-the-book-of-mormon-now-when/) [Josh Gad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-gad/) > [I was like a Borscht Belt comedian trapped in the body of a 6-year-old. I was channeling Jackie Mason at 7.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-gad/i-was-like-a-borscht-belt-comedian-trapped-in-the-body-of-a-6-year/) [Josh Gad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-gad/) > [Coming off of 'Book of Mormon,' I had a lot of opportunities. I didn't want to do TV, actually. I really wanted to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-gad/coming-off-of-book-of-mormon-i-had-a-lot-of-opportunities-i-didn-t/) [Josh Gad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-gad/) > [ In real life, Josh \[Gad\] is a different kind of lovable idiot. In real life, he's a much filthier idiot. He has a dirty… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-gad/in-real-life-josh-gad-is-a-different-kind-of-lovable-idiot-in-real/) [Josh Gad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-gad/) > [I think that once we get to that point where our generation is running things, I truly believe we'll look back at this time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-gad/i-think-that-once-we-get-to-that-point-where-our-generation-is/) [Josh Gad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-gad/) > [There are certain TV shows that probably would have made me rich, and there are certain commitments I could have made that probably would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-gad/there-are-certain-tv-shows-that-probably-would-have-made-me-rich-and/) [Josh Gad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-gad/) > [When you have a kid, it changes your life. It reminds you, this is my life now: I'm responsible for this tiny person. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-gad/when-you-have-a-kid-it-changes-your-life-it-reminds-you-this-is-my/) [Josh Gad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-gad/) > [The actual truth about Gad is it's one of the original 13 tribes of Israel, so you can actually trace my lineage back to,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-gad/the-actual-truth-about-gad-is-it-s-one-of-the-original-13-tribes-of/) [Josh Gad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-gad/) > [I grew up on 'Lawrence' and 'Zhivago'. A legacy with not one but multiple timeless classics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-gad/i-grew-up-on-lawrence-and-zhivago-a-legacy-with-not-one-but-multiple/) [Josh Gad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-gad/) > [ \[ 1600 Penn\] is an ensemble comedy about a family. It just happens to utilize the fact that my character is now being forced… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-gad/1600-penn-is-an-ensemble-comedy-about-a-family-it-just-happens-to/) [Josh Gad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-gad/) > [How do you top 'Mormon?' I get sent scripts all the time and I don't know what I would do next. What do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-gad/how-do-you-top-mormon-i-get-sent-scripts-all-the-time-and-i-don-t/) [Josh Gad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-gad/) [Explore all 44 Josh Gad quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-gad/) ## More Backgrounds quotes > [We do not want to be reminded that it is we, the indigenous people, who are poor and exploited in the land of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/we-do-not-want-to-be-reminded-that-it-is-we-the-indigenous-people-who/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) > [When you see how fragile and delicate life can be, all else fades into the background.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenna-morasca/when-you-see-how-fragile-and-delicate-life-can-be-all-else-fades-into/) [Jenna Morasca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-morasca/) > [Worship is not about personality, temperament, personal limitations, church background, or comfort. It is about God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wimber/worship-is-not-about-personality-temperament-personal-limitations/) [John Wimber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wimber/) > [Eventually the consumer will come to appreciate the editorial point of view of every different brand. User-generated content without editorial oversight will simply be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-eisner/eventually-the-consumer-will-come-to-appreciate-the-editorial-point/) [Michael Eisner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-eisner/) > [I bring my classical training - some of it, but not all of it - and also my background and culture, to spirituals. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-battle/i-bring-my-classical-training-some-of-it-but-not-all-of-it-and-also/) [Kathleen Battle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-battle/) > [The acting background helped a lot when I started writing. I was training for it. In acting class they teach you about the stakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-higgins-clark/the-acting-background-helped-a-lot-when-i-started-writing-i-was/) [Carol Higgins Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-higgins-clark/) > [In the dim background of our mind we know meanwhile what we ought to be doing: getting up, dressing ourselves, answering the person who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/in-the-dim-background-of-our-mind-we-know-meanwhile-what-we-ought-to/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) > [I think it is a sin to look at another person as inferior to yourself because of race or because of ethnic background and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/i-think-it-is-a-sin-to-look-at-another-person-as-inferior-to-yourself/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [The thing that is making jazz healthy today is that people are coming out of other backgrounds - from rock, folk, from ethnic music.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-taylor/the-thing-that-is-making-jazz-healthy-today-is-that-people-are-coming/) [Billy Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-taylor/) > [We do not have to be ashamed of what we are. As sentient beings we have wonderful backgrounds. These backgrounds may not be particularly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/we-do-not-have-to-be-ashamed-of-what-we-are-as-sentient-beings-we/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [People from my sort of background needed grammar schools to compete with children from privileged homes like Shirley Williams and Anthony Wedgwood Benn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/people-from-my-sort-of-background-needed-grammar-schools-to-compete/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [Persons who have cleansed themselves of any transgression and who have shown their ability to deal with homosexual inclinations and put them in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallin-h-oaks/persons-who-have-cleansed-themselves-of-any-transgression-and-who/) [Dallin H. Oaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallin-h-oaks/) > [I come from a theater background, so I always like to dissect the scene and try to get some hint about what the author…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adina-porter/i-come-from-a-theater-background-so-i-always-like-to-dissect-the/) [Adina Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adina-porter/) > [And, of course, some SF is set close enough to here and now that Anglo and European do apply. Since many of the writers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-schmidt/and-of-course-some-sf-is-set-close-enough-to-here-and-now-that-anglo/) [Stanley Schmidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-schmidt/) > [For me, I try to look at a person's swagger and a little background on them if I already haven't liked them as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bivins/for-me-i-try-to-look-at-a-person-s-swagger-and-a-little-background-on/) [Michael Bivins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bivins/) [Browse all 1,648 Backgrounds quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/backgrounds/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Religion is interesting because it brings out the best and the worst in humanity. It can be a source of good deeds, whether it's people from different spiritual backgrounds coming together to help other people in need after a crisis. But it's also a cause for war and bloodshed.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Josh Gad" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-gad/religion-is-interesting-because-it-brings-out-the-best-and-the-worst/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Backgrounds" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-gad/religion-is-interesting-because-it-brings-out-the-best-and-the-worst/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/600/josh-gad-15191_backgrounds_religion-is-interesting-because-it-bring_1233699.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/600/josh-gad-15191_backgrounds_religion-is-interesting-because-it-bring_1233699.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/600/josh-gad-15191_backgrounds_religion-is-interesting-because-it-bring_1233699.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Religion is interesting because it brings out the best and the worst in humanity. It can be a source of good…” — Josh Gad", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Josh Gad", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-gad/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Religion is interesting because it brings...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-gad/religion-is-interesting-because-it-brings-out-the-best-and-the-worst/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-gad/religion-is-interesting-because-it-brings-out-the-best-and-the-worst/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```