Religion Quote by Tom Robbins
““Soul is not even that Crackerjack prize that God and Satan scuffle over after the worms have all licked our bones. That's why, when we ponder--as sooner or later each of us must--exactly what we ought to be doing about our soul, religion is the wrong, if conventional, place to turn. Religion is little more than a transaction in which troubled people trade their souls for temporary and wholly illusionary psychological comfort--the old give-it-up-in-order-to-save-it routine. Religions lead us to believe that the soul is the ultimate family jewel and that in return for our mindless obedience, they can secure it for us in their vaults, or at least insure it against fire theft. They are mistaken.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Another Roadside Attraction, 1971
Religion offers temporary comfort but fails to address deeper existential questions about the soul.
In simple terms: Religion is a comfort trade.
Key Takeaway
Seek deeper meaning beyond doctrine.
Themes
spirituality
existence
comfort
Mood
contemplative
skeptical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- personal meditation
- philosophical study
- artistic creation
- community dialogue
Key Concepts
Transcendence
materialism
illusion
Questions to Reflect On
- What provides true soul nourishment?
- Can secular practices replace religious comfort?
A Different Perspective
Reliance on religion can distract from authentic self‑exploration.
