Atheism Quote by Ludwig Feuerbach
“If therefore my work is negative, irreligious, atheistic, let it be remembered that atheism at least in the sense of this work is the secret of religion itself; that religion itself, not indeed on the surface, but fundamentally, not in intention or a”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Secret of Religion, 1850
Atheism, as used here, reveals the hidden core of religion.
In simple terms: Atheism exposes religion’s core.
Key Takeaway
Explore underlying beliefs.
Themes
philosophy
religion
atheism
Mood
thoughtful
intellectual
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- personal belief
- cultural analysis
- theological study
- null
Key Concepts
critical theory
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “secret of religion” mean to you?
- How does atheism challenge religious assumptions?
A Different Perspective
Critics may view this as reductive.
![“As Israel made the wants of his national existence the law of the world, as under the dominance of these wants he deified even his political vindictiveness; so the Christian made the requirements of human feeling the absolute powers and laws of the world. [T]hat is, indeed, only of man considered…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dd1/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_abrahamism_as-israel-made-the-wants-of-his-national_31284.jpg)
![“Religion annexes to its doctrines a curse and a blessing … Blessed is he that believeth, cursed is he that believeth not. Thus it appeals not to reason, but to feeling, … to the passions of hope and fear. … [T]he fear of hell urges me to believe. Even supposing my belief to be in its origin free…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70b/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_faith_religion-annexes-to-its-doctrines-a-curs_35960.jpg)
![“[T]o think God is therefore to affirm what God is, to establish the being of God as an act. That God is thought, cognised, is essential; that this tree is thought, is to the tree accidental, unessential. … [H]ow is it possible that God – if he is to exist for us, to be an object to us – must…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ef5/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_quote_t-o-think-god-is-therefore-to-affirm-wha_219124.jpg)
![“The essence of faith … is the idea that that which man wishes actually is: he wishes to be immortal, therefore he is immortal; he wishes for the existence of a being who can do everything which is impossible to Nature and reason, therefore such a being exists[.]” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bb8/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_faith_the-essence-of-faith-is-the-idea-that-th_247786.jpg)
![“[H]eavenly personality, or the perpetuation of human personality in heaven is nothing else than personality released from all earthly encumbrances and limitations[.] [H]ere we are men, there gods[.]” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3a6/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_clinging-to-self_h-eavenly-personality-or-the-perpetuatio_340334.jpg)
![“[A]lthough the deeds opposed to love which mark Christian religious history, are in accordance with Christianity, and its antagonists are therefore right in imputing to it the horrible actions resulting from dogmatic creeds; those deeds nevertheless at the same time contradict Christianity…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6ab/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_accepting-love_a-lthough-the-deeds-opposed-to-love-whic_414411.jpg)
