--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I do not understand those who take little…" description: "\"I do not understand those who take little or no interest in the subject of religion. If religion embodies a truth, it is certainly the most important t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d94/steve-allen-10768_error_i-do-not-understand-those-who-take-littl_996443.jpg" --- # I do not understand those who take little or no interest… ![“I do not understand those who take little or no interest in the subject of religion. If religion embodies a truth, it is certainly the most important truth of human existence. If it is largely error, then it is one of monumentally tragic proportions—and should be vigorously opposed.” quote by Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d94/steve-allen-10768_error_i-do-not-understand-those-who-take-littl_996443.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d94/steve-allen-10768_error_i-do-not-understand-those-who-take-littl_996443.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d94/steve-allen-10768_error_i-do-not-understand-those-who-take-littl_996443.jpg) > “I do not understand those who take little or no interest in the subject of religion. If religion embodies a truth, it is certainly the most important truth of human existence. If it is largely error, then it is one of monumentally tragic proportions—and should be vigorously opposed.” [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker sees religion as either a profound truth or a massive error, urging strong opposition if the latter. **In simple terms:** Religion is either vital truth or harmful error, demanding action. Key Takeaway Assess and challenge belief systems critically. Themes faith truth critical thinking Mood thoughtful serious Type philosophical controversial When to use this quote - personal reflection - public discourse - educational curricula Key Concepts existentialism morality social impact Questions to Reflect On - How do you determine the truth of religious claims? - What role should skepticism play in faith? A Different Perspective Religion’s influence varies across cultures, making universal judgments difficult. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Human existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-existence/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Opposition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposition/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Tragic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tragic/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [“God is not subject to religion. Religion is subject to God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/god-is-not-subject-to-religion-religion-is-subject-to-god/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [So obviously, any religion embodies some form of rules and expectations for behavior, and even sometimes consequences, and they don't want to hear any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-boone/so-obviously-any-religion-embodies-some-form-of-rules-and/) [Pat Boone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-boone/) > [I believe what I practice has to do with something deeper than religion, that it embodies all religions, including Judaism. And Christianity. And Islam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madonna-ciccone/i-believe-what-i-practice-has-to-do-with-something-deeper-than/) [Madonna Ciccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madonna-ciccone/) > [No power of government ought to be employed in the endeavor to establish any system or article of belief on the subject of religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-bentham/no-power-of-government-ought-to-be-employed-in-the-endeavor-to/) [Jeremy Bentham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-bentham/) > [It is alleged by men of loose principles, or defective views of the subject, that religion and morality are not necessary or important qualifications…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-webster/it-is-alleged-by-men-of-loose-principles-or-defective-views-of-the-2/) [Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-webster/) > [It will not do to investigate the subject of religion too closely, as it is apt to lead to infidelity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/it-will-not-do-to-investigate-the-subject-of-religion-too-closely-as/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [For most people, religion is nothing more than a substitute for a malfunctioning brain. If people need religion, ignore them and maybe they will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-roddenberry/for-most-people-religion-is-nothing-more-than-a-substitute-for-a/) [Gene Roddenberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-roddenberry/) > [There is one subject in religion, about which you can never know too much. That subject is Jesus Christ the Lord.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/there-is-one-subject-in-religion-about-which-you-can-never-know-too/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [Poetry is much more important than the truth, and, if you don't believe that, try using the two methods to get laid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-forsyth/poetry-is-much-more-important-than-the-truth-and-if-you-don-t-believe/) [Mark Forsyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-forsyth/) > [What important truth do very few people agree with you on?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-thiel/what-important-truth-do-very-few-people-agree-with-you-on/) [Peter Thiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-thiel/) > [What is important to me is not the truth outside myself, but the truth within myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/constantin-stanislavski/what-is-important-to-me-is-not-the-truth-outside-myself-but-the-truth/) [Constantin Stanislavski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/constantin-stanislavski/) > [“Life is Most Important in Life is The Most important Truth in Life. Any word, thought, or action that disagrees must be a lie.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wishengrad/life-is-most-important-in-life-is-the-most-important-truth-in-life/) David Wishengrad > [Never lose sight of this important truth, that no one can be truly great until he has gained a knowledge of himself, a knowledge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-lose-sight-of-this-important-truth-that-no-one-can-be-truly/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What you perceive, your observations, feelings, interpretations, are all your truth. Your truth is important. Yet it is not The Truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-ellinor/what-you-perceive-your-observations-feelings-interpretations-are-all/) Linda Ellinor > [I'm a scientist at heart, so I know how important the truth is. However inconvenient, however unattractive, however embarrassing, however shocking, the truth is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/i-m-a-scientist-at-heart-so-i-know-how-important-the-truth-is-however/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) ## More by Steve Allen > [Consider the wave of revulsion that floods the average person when he or she hears of the practice of human sacrifice by the Aztecs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/consider-the-wave-of-revulsion-that-floods-the-average-person-when-he/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [In a rational society we would want our presidents to be teachers. In our actual society we insist they be cheerleaders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/in-a-rational-society-we-would-want-our-presidents-to-be-teachers-in/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [Totalitarianism is patriotism institutionalized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/totalitarianism-is-patriotism-institutionalized/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [Just as with cars, it's critical to know the fuel efficiency of black holes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/just-as-with-cars-it-s-critical-to-know-the-fuel-efficiency-of-black/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [The fundamentalist believer is mostly a weird intellectual who often lacks real faith altogether. 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On the one hand,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/the-bible-is-unfortunately-unclear-on-a-long-list-of-moral-and-social/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [Pretend you're a southern sheriff. Or Mae West. Or Donald Duck. Buy a western hat and walk around the house like a cowboy. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/pretend-you-re-a-southern-sheriff-or-mae-west-or-donald-duck-buy-a/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [In those of us who have the mysterious ability to amuse others, it is usually the case that even before we were aware of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/in-those-of-us-who-have-the-mysterious-ability-to-amuse-others-it-is/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [We must never forget that both good and evil flow from the Bible. It is therefore not above criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/we-must-never-forget-that-both-good-and-evil-flow-from-the-bible-it/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [Impartial observers from other planets would consider ours an utterly bizarre enclave if it were populated by birds, defined as flying animals, that nevertheless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/impartial-observers-from-other-planets-would-consider-ours-an-utterly/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [I was in sixth grade the first time I was required to speak in front of an audience. I had terrible stage fright and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/i-was-in-sixth-grade-the-first-time-i-was-required-to-speak-in-front/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [Many comedians and comedy writers have shared the childhood experience of learning to joke to protect themselves from neighborhood bullies when challenge or physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/many-comedians-and-comedy-writers-have-shared-the-childhood/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) [Explore all 62 Steve Allen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) ## More Error quotes > [Truth is error burned up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-o-brown/truth-is-error-burned-up/) [Norman O. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-o-brown/) > [“Between an Error and a Lie, there are Worlds – an Error is an unintended Mistake, a Lie is an intentional Audacity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sino-melo/between-an-error-and-a-lie-there-are-worlds-an-error-is-an-unintended/) [Sino Melo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sino-melo/) > [This idea that once you get into politics... you are now signed up for lifelong duty being in elective office, makes a fundamental error…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gonzalez/this-idea-that-once-you-get-into-politics-you-are-now-signed-up-for/) [Matt Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gonzalez/) > [“Error, failure, and being wrong are central to our development. We just aren’t using them as much as we should…yet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alastair-arnott/error-failure-and-being-wrong-are-central-to-our-development-we-just/) [Alastair Arnott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alastair-arnott/) > [Carve and polish it the way you like, error cannot be changed into a precious stone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ace-kid/carve-and-polish-it-the-way-you-like-error-cannot-be-changed-into-a/) [Ace Kid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ace-kid/) > [“error,” and it is the best way to seek out a great result that fulfills your client’s business need.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sherwin/error-and-it-is-the-best-way-to-seek-out-a-great-result-that-fulfills/) David Sherwin > [It's a base hit on the error by Roberts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-coleman/it-s-a-base-hit-on-the-error-by-roberts/) [Jerry Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-coleman/) > [If we didn't have genetic mutations, we wouldn't have us. You need error to open the door to the adjacent possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-johnson/if-we-didn-t-have-genetic-mutations-we-wouldn-t-have-us-you-need/) [Steven Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-johnson/) > [Error is discipline through which we advance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ellery-channing/error-is-discipline-through-which-we-advance/) [William Ellery Channing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ellery-channing/) > [“Never give up your right to be wrong, and be sure to give others that right too.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/never-give-up-your-right-to-be-wrong-and-be-sure-to-give-others-that/) [Tim Fargo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/) > [Narrative drives most of economics. Everything seems to be part of a story, and how that story is told often leads to critical error.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/narrative-drives-most-of-economics-everything-seems-to-be-part-of-a/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) > [After working with many nutritionists, reading books, and practicing trial and error on my own body, I have finally found a way to control…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-somers/after-working-with-many-nutritionists-reading-books-and-practicing/) [Suzanne Somers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-somers/) > [“Stop blaming other people for your mistakes. Until you are ready to admit that you are infallible, you are vulnerable for failure to whip.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/stop-blaming-other-people-for-your-mistakes-until-you-are-ready-to/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [“Believe truth! 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