Antitheism Quote by Richard Dawkins
““There was something built into the human brain by natural selection which was once useful, and which now manifests itself as religion.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The God Del by Richard Dawkins, 2006
Human brains evolved traits that once helped survival, now appear as religious belief systems.
In simple terms: Evolutionary traits can become cultural habits like religion.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the biological roots of belief.
Themes
evolution
religion
psychology
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
scientific
When to use this quote
- debates on faith
- education on science
- interfaith dialogue
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
group cohesion
Questions to Reflect On
- How does understanding evolution change your view of faith?
- Can we separate cultural benefits from biological origins?
A Different Perspective
Religion also provides community and meaning beyond biology.
![“Religion is an attempt to get control over the sensory world, in which we are placed, by means of the wish-world which we have developed inside us as a result of biological and psychological necessities. [...] If one attempts to assign to religion its place in man's evolution, it seems not so much…” quote by Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/59b/sigmund-freud-360_acquisition_religion-is-an-attempt-to-get-control-ov_272243.jpg)
![“... [E]xperience witnesseth that ecclesiastical establishments, instead of maintaining the purity and efficacy of Religion, have had a contrary operation. During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What have been its fruits? More or less in all…” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6e9/james-madison-373_america_e-xperience-witnesseth-that-ecclesiastic_324440.jpg)
