Alive Quote by Sam Harris
“It is terrible that we all die and lose everything we love; it is doubly terrible that so many human beings suffer needlessly while alive. That so much of this suffering can be directly attributed to religion—to religious hatreds, religious wars, religious delusions and religious diversions of scarce resources—is what makes atheism a moral and intellectual necessity.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The End of Faith by Sam Harris, 2004
The author argues that religion causes suffering and misallocation of resources, making atheism a moral and intellectual necessity.
In simple terms: Religion often causes suffering; atheism can be a rational stance.
Key Takeaway
Consider the impact of belief systems on society.
Themes
religion
ethics
atheism
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
controversial
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- education
- public discourse
Key Concepts
human suffering
resource allocation
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- What role should belief play in public life?
- Can morality exist without religion?
A Different Perspective
Religion can also provide community and moral guidance.
![“Moderates in every faith are obliged to loosely interpret (or simply ignore) much of their canons in the interests of living in the modern world. [...] The first thing to observe about the moderate’s retreat from scriptural literalism is that it draws its inspiration not from scripture but from…” quote by Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b44/sam-harris-457_bible_moderates-in-every-faith-are-obliged-to_6967.jpg)
