--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Beliefs are dangerous. Beliefs allow the…" description: "\"Beliefs are dangerous. Beliefs allow the mind to stop functioning. A non-functioning mind is clinically dead. Believe in nothing.\" — Maynard James Keenan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/034/maynard-james-keenan-3839_atheist_beliefs-are-dangerous-beliefs-allow-the_2103097.png" --- # Beliefs are dangerous. Beliefs allow the mind to stop… ![“Beliefs are dangerous. Beliefs allow the mind to stop functioning. A non-functioning mind is clinically dead. Believe in nothing.” quote by Maynard James Keenan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/034/maynard-james-keenan-3839_atheist_beliefs-are-dangerous-beliefs-allow-the_2103097.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/034/maynard-james-keenan-3839_atheist_beliefs-are-dangerous-beliefs-allow-the_2103097.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/034/maynard-james-keenan-3839_atheist_beliefs-are-dangerous-beliefs-allow-the_2103097.png) > “Beliefs are dangerous. Beliefs allow the mind to stop functioning. A non-functioning mind is clinically dead. Believe in nothing.” [Maynard James Keenan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maynard-james-keenan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Holding rigid beliefs can shut down critical thinking, leading to intellectual stagnation. **In simple terms:** Rigid beliefs halt thinking. Key Takeaway Question your assumptions. Themes critical thinking intellectual freedom skepticism Mood reflective provocative Type philosophical challenging When to use this quote - decision making - creative work - personal growth - education - therapy Key Concepts cognitive rigidity mental health philosophy of mind Questions to Reflect On - What belief do you rely on most? - How can you balance openness with stability? A Different Perspective Beliefs can also provide comfort and social cohesion, so abandoning them entirely may be destabilizing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atheist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheist/) [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Beliefs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beliefs/) [Beliefs Allow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beliefs-allow-2980468/) [Beliefs Dangerous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beliefs-dangerous-1747642/) [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Dangerous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dangerous/) [Dangerous Beliefs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dangerous-beliefs-2980467/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) ## Related quotes > [This sort of behavior is left to the psychotic, dogmatic, fundamentalist believers you see on your TV everyday letting off bombs and killing people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maynard-james-keenan/this-sort-of-behavior-is-left-to-the-psychotic-dogmatic/) [Maynard James Keenan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maynard-james-keenan/) > [“Feelings harden into beliefs when we allow emotions to become bearers of truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginger-harrington/feelings-harden-into-beliefs-when-we-allow-emotions-to-become-bearers/) [Ginger Harrington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginger-harrington/) > [Religious and philosophical beliefs are, indeed, as dangerous as fire, and nothing can take from them that beauty of danger. 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Remember that your belief is not that much important; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/update-your-belief-if-necessary-throw-it-to-the-bin-don-t-exaggerate/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Our beliefs are like the unquestioned commands, telling us how things are, what's possible and what's impossible, what we can and can not do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/our-beliefs-are-like-the-unquestioned-commands-telling-us-how-things/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [“Your life is your statement to the world representing your values, your beliefs, your dreams.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-arenson/your-life-is-your-statement-to-the-world-representing-your-values/) [David Arenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-arenson/) > [People always wonder when the world is going to end. 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