--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Religion is never the problem; it's the…" description: "\"Religion is never the problem; it's the people who use it to gain power.\" — Julian Casablancas" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79b/julian-casablancas-3841_gains_religion-is-never-the-problem-it-s-the-p_1400552.png" --- # Religion is never the problem; it's the people who use it… ![“Religion is never the problem; it's the people who use it to gain power.” quote by Julian Casablancas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79b/julian-casablancas-3841_gains_religion-is-never-the-problem-it-s-the-p_1400552.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79b/julian-casablancas-3841_gains_religion-is-never-the-problem-it-s-the-p_1400552.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79b/julian-casablancas-3841_gains_religion-is-never-the-problem-it-s-the-p_1400552.png) > “Religion is never the problem; it's the people who use it to gain power.” [Julian Casablancas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-casablancas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Argues that religion itself isn’t the issue; it’s the misuse of religion for power. **In simple terms:** Religion isn’t the problem, people are. Key Takeaway Focus on intent, not belief. Themes religion power human behavior Mood reflective concerned Type statement observation When to use this quote - politics - church leadership - social movements - history Key Concepts corruption authority Questions to Reflect On - Who uses religion responsibly? - How to prevent abuse? A Different Perspective Religious institutions can also promote good. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [You can gain power by avoidance. You can gain power by doing certain things. You can gain much more power by meditating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/you-can-gain-power-by-avoidance-you-can-gain-power-by-doing-certain/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [An enlightened teacher teaches you how to gain power. They give you power. They teach you how to shape it so that it becomes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/an-enlightened-teacher-teaches-you-how-to-gain-power-they-give-you/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [If you go to a higher place of power, you can gain power there and you might even encounter some beings of knowledge and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-go-to-a-higher-place-of-power-you-can-gain-power-there-and-you/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [You gain power by pretending to be weak.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/you-gain-power-by-pretending-to-be-weak/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [We may have a tiny little room that we rent, and if we keep it clean and it's impeccable, then we gain a power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/we-may-have-a-tiny-little-room-that-we-rent-and-if-we-keep-it-clean/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [It's not religion that's the problem - it's the lack of religion!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jock-stein/it-s-not-religion-that-s-the-problem-it-s-the-lack-of-religion/) [Jock Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jock-stein/) > [The people who came to New England, came for freedom of religion. The problem is, freedom of religion to them meant freedom for only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-roosevelt/the-people-who-came-to-new-england-came-for-freedom-of-religion-the/) [Eleanor Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-roosevelt/) > [I believe climate change is real, but I reject the cap and trade solution of John - of, you know, of Al Gore. He's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/i-believe-climate-change-is-real-but-i-reject-the-cap-and-trade/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) > [Once I made the commitment to fully live my religion, it was never a problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lavell-edwards/once-i-made-the-commitment-to-fully-live-my-religion-it-was-never-a/) [LaVell Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lavell-edwards/) > [History has shown us that it's not religion that's the problem, but any system of thought that insists that one group of people are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-liddle/history-has-shown-us-that-it-s-not-religion-that-s-the-problem-but/) [Rod Liddle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-liddle/) > [“Religion knew the truth of metaphor and symbol for almost all of history until the past few hundred years, and especially until the wrongly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rohr/religion-knew-the-truth-of-metaphor-and-symbol-for-almost-all-of/) [Richard Rohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rohr/) > [I also don't have organized religion on Pern. I figured - since there were four holy wars going on at the time of writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-mccaffrey/i-also-don-t-have-organized-religion-on-pern-i-figured-since-there/) [Anne McCaffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-mccaffrey/) > [The Democratic Party has a religion problem and they better fix it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-suozzi/the-democratic-party-has-a-religion-problem-and-they-better-fix-it/) [Tom Suozzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-suozzi/) > [Humility is often a false front we employ to gain power over others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/humility-is-often-a-false-front-we-employ-to-gain-power-over-others/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [When you are afraid of someone, they can gain power over you, meaning they can drop your energy level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/when-you-are-afraid-of-someone-they-can-gain-power-over-you-meaning/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) ## More by Julian Casablancas > [When the Strokes first started playing gigs, instead of getting into a costume for the shows, we talked about how we should dress every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-casablancas/when-the-strokes-first-started-playing-gigs-instead-of-getting-into-a/) [Julian Casablancas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-casablancas/) > [Can our mind evolve to be something other than an extension of our animal needs?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-casablancas/can-our-mind-evolve-to-be-something-other-than-an-extension-of-our/) [Julian Casablancas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-casablancas/) > [Watching the urban decay all around us, oh boy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-casablancas/watching-the-urban-decay-all-around-us-oh-boy/) [Julian Casablancas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-casablancas/) > [I over-think stuff a lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-casablancas/i-over-think-stuff-a-lot/) [Julian Casablancas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-casablancas/) > [I see myself out of my own eyes, which means I have no idea what's going on the other way around. I just think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-casablancas/i-see-myself-out-of-my-own-eyes-which-means-i-have-no-idea-what-s/) [Julian Casablancas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-casablancas/) > [It's like an inner struggle for me, between saying I don't give a \*\*\*\* and trying to make it work. You want to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-casablancas/it-s-like-an-inner-struggle-for-me-between-saying-i-don-t-give-a-and/) [Julian Casablancas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-casablancas/) > [The Strokes can play anything. They could play 'Thriller,' and it would just sound like 'Thriller' as played by the Strokes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-casablancas/the-strokes-can-play-anything-they-could-play-thriller-and-it-would/) [Julian Casablancas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-casablancas/) > [You are looking for your own voice, but in others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-casablancas/you-are-looking-for-your-own-voice-but-in-others/) [Julian Casablancas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-casablancas/) > [My parents separated when I was eight. I grew up with my mom alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-casablancas/my-parents-separated-when-i-was-eight-i-grew-up-with-my-mom-alone/) [Julian Casablancas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-casablancas/) > [I guess the best thing about marriage is the fact you've got the coolest partner you can imagine by your side for all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-casablancas/i-guess-the-best-thing-about-marriage-is-the-fact-you-ve-got-the/) [Julian Casablancas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-casablancas/) > [The best artists are the ones that work the hardest, and if you work hard enough, you'll eventually experience the happy accidents that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-casablancas/the-best-artists-are-the-ones-that-work-the-hardest-and-if-you-work/) [Julian Casablancas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-casablancas/) > [So when's it coming? This life's new great movement that I can join](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-casablancas/so-when-s-it-coming-this-life-s-new-great-movement-that-i-can-join/) [Julian Casablancas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-casablancas/) > [Oh I got music, coming outta my hands and feet and kisses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-casablancas/oh-i-got-music-coming-outta-my-hands-and-feet-and-kisses/) [Julian Casablancas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-casablancas/) > [I'm just going to try and be a good dad and not spoil the kid: give him love and encouragement but also discipline. Me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-casablancas/i-m-just-going-to-try-and-be-a-good-dad-and-not-spoil-the-kid-give/) [Julian Casablancas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-casablancas/) > [No matter who I'm talking to, I always talk like I'm doing an interview.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-casablancas/no-matter-who-i-m-talking-to-i-always-talk-like-i-m-doing-an-interview/) [Julian Casablancas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-casablancas/) [Explore all 121 Julian Casablancas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-casablancas/) ## More Gains quotes > [There is something more important than any ultimate weapon. That is the ultimate position-the position of total control over Earth that lies somewhere out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyndon-b-johnson/there-is-something-more-important-than-any-ultimate-weapon-that-is/) [Lyndon B. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyndon-b-johnson/) > [The history of mankind interests us only as it exhibits a steady gain of truth and right, in the incessant conflict which it records…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-history-of-mankind-interests-us-only-as-it-exhibits-a-steady-gain/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The time that one gains cannot be accumulated in a storehouse; it is contradictory to want to save up existence, which, the fact is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/the-time-that-one-gains-cannot-be-accumulated-in-a-storehouse-it-is/) [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) > [Failure is a part of life and you have to learn to deal with it. Failure is something that is part of life's cycle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/failure-is-a-part-of-life-and-you-have-to-learn-to-deal-with-it/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [Europe is creating the flight of refugees that's tearing it apart politically, and leading rightwing nationalist parties to gain power to withdraw from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hudson/europe-is-creating-the-flight-of-refugees-that-s-tearing-it-apart/) [Michael Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hudson/) > [The poet reminds men of their uniqueness and it is not necessary to possess the ultimate definition of this uniqueness. Even to speculate is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-poet-reminds-men-of-their-uniqueness-and-it-is-not-necessary-to/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [Change your attitude and gain some altitude. Believe me, you'll love it up here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/change-your-attitude-and-gain-some-altitude-believe-me-you-ll-love-it/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [If China someday gains a more fair, just, and accountable system of government, it will be due to the hard work and efforts of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-mackinnon/if-china-someday-gains-a-more-fair-just-and-accountable-system-of/) [Rebecca MacKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-mackinnon/) > [There's little in taking or giving, There's little in water or wine: This living, this living, this living, Was never a project of mine.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-parker/there-s-little-in-taking-or-giving-there-s-little-in-water-or-wine/) [Dorothy Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-parker/) > [Some lose yet gain, others gain and yet lose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/some-lose-yet-gain-others-gain-and-yet-lose/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Some people enjoy taking a light stroll in the morning and that gives them relief and that sort of feeling. That is what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ichiro-suzuki/some-people-enjoy-taking-a-light-stroll-in-the-morning-and-that-gives/) [Ichiro Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ichiro-suzuki/) > [Importunity is a condition of prayer. We are to press the matter, not with vain repetitions, but with urgent repetitions. We repeat, not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/importunity-is-a-condition-of-prayer-we-are-to-press-the-matter-not/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [Professional politicians like to talk about the value of experience in government. Nuts! The only experience you gain in politics is how to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/professional-politicians-like-to-talk-about-the-value-of-experience/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [How you educate the people around you, what steps you take toward making it better, what sacrifices you make. The equation of life is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-hawkins/how-you-educate-the-people-around-you-what-steps-you-take-toward/) [Andrew Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-hawkins/) Browse all 3,001 Gains quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Religion is never the problem; it's the people who use it to gain power.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Julian Casablancas" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-casablancas/religion-is-never-the-problem-it-s-the-people-who-use-it-to-gain-power/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Gains" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-casablancas/religion-is-never-the-problem-it-s-the-people-who-use-it-to-gain-power/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79b/julian-casablancas-3841_gains_religion-is-never-the-problem-it-s-the-p_1400552.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79b/julian-casablancas-3841_gains_religion-is-never-the-problem-it-s-the-p_1400552.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79b/julian-casablancas-3841_gains_religion-is-never-the-problem-it-s-the-p_1400552.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Religion is never the problem; it's the people who use it to gain power.” — Julian Casablancas", "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": "Julian Casablancas", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-casablancas/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Religion is never the problem; it's...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-casablancas/religion-is-never-the-problem-it-s-the-people-who-use-it-to-gain-power/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-casablancas/religion-is-never-the-problem-it-s-the-people-who-use-it-to-gain-power/#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 } } ] } ```