--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have little use for religion as it is…" description: "\"“I have little use for religion as it is practiced, or for astrology, or for belief in witchcraft or omens of good or ill-luck. I think they all stem f..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/111/winston-graham-8694_belief_i-have-little-use-for-religion-as-it-is_2653593.jpg" --- # I have little use for religion as it is practiced, or for… ![“I have little use for religion as it is practiced, or for astrology, or for belief in witchcraft or omens of good or ill-luck. I think they all stem from some insufficiency in men’s minds, perhaps from a lack of a willingness to feel themselves utterly alone. But now and then I feel that there is…” quote by Winston Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/111/winston-graham-8694_belief_i-have-little-use-for-religion-as-it-is_2653593.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/111/winston-graham-8694_belief_i-have-little-use-for-religion-as-it-is_2653593.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/111/winston-graham-8694_belief_i-have-little-use-for-religion-as-it-is_2653593.jpg) > ““I have little use for religion as it is practiced, or for astrology, or for belief in witchcraft or omens of good or ill-luck. I think they all stem from some insufficiency in men’s minds, perhaps from a lack of a willingness to feel themselves utterly alone. But now and then I feel that there is something beyond the material world, something we all feel intimations of but cannot explain. Underneath the religious vision there is the harsh fundamental reality of all our lives, because we know we must live and die as the animals we are. But sometimes I suspect that under that harsh reality there is a further vision, still deeper based, that comes nearer to true reality than the reality we know.”” [Winston Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-graham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Explores the tension between religious belief and material existence, suggesting a deeper, ineffable reality beyond human understanding. **In simple terms:** Religion and superstition mask deeper existential truths. Key Takeaway Contemplate beyond material explanations. Themes existence spirituality materialism philosophy Mood contemplative philosophical Type existential reflective When to use this quote - personal meditation - philosophical discussion - creative writing - spiritual practice Key Concepts human consciousness loneliness metaphysics Questions to Reflect On - What does “true reality” mean to you? - How do you reconcile material life with spiritual longing? A Different Perspective May be overly abstract for practical guidance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Harsh reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harsh-reality/) [Material world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/material-world/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Spirituality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirituality/) [True reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-reality/) ## Related quotes > [“He tried to remember her as a thin little urchin trailing across the fields with Garrick behind her. But that was no use at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-graham/he-tried-to-remember-her-as-a-thin-little-urchin-trailing-across-the/) [Winston Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-graham/) > [“Yet, although he could not quite work this out in simple terms in his own mind, the very savour of life, he thought, was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-graham/yet-although-he-could-not-quite-work-this-out-in-simple-terms-in-his/) [Winston Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-graham/) > [“Ross said: “I’ll tell you what is best for the other man, always, and that’s work. Work is a challenge. I’ve told you –…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-graham/ross-said-i-ll-tell-you-what-is-best-for-the-other-man-always-and/) [Winston Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-graham/) > [“At times I have discovered a new lowness of spirit, a new need to revolt, to kick against the constraints that a civilized life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-graham/at-times-i-have-discovered-a-new-lowness-of-spirit-a-new-need-to/) [Winston Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-graham/) > [“Not for the first time he was conscious of emotional lights and shades in his wife that could not be categorized, could not be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-graham/not-for-the-first-time-he-was-conscious-of-emotional-lights-and/) [Winston Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-graham/) > [“Everyone," Ross said, "seems a little less concerned than I do. Am I more tender-hearted for others or only tender because of my own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-graham/everyone-ross-said-seems-a-little-less-concerned-than-i-do-am-i-more/) [Winston Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-graham/) > [“Reality, at first glance, is a simple thing: the television speaking to you now is real. Your body sunk into that chair in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-moore/reality-at-first-glance-is-a-simple-thing-the-television-speaking-to/) [Alan Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-moore/) > [“Plato argued that the material world of visible things was but a shadow of the true reality of eternal forms. He proceeds to explain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-barrow/plato-argued-that-the-material-world-of-visible-things-was-but-a/) [John D. Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-barrow/) > [Religion is an important institution. A nation without religion cannot survive. Yet it is also very important to note that religion is a link…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mustafa-kemal-ataturk/religion-is-an-important-institution-a-nation-without-religion-cannot-2/) [Mustafa Kemal Ataturk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mustafa-kemal-ataturk/) > [People will use their religion to justify virtually anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/people-will-use-their-religion-to-justify-virtually-anything/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [I respect all religions. What I don't respect is when people use religion to attack others. I've met people across the world, in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angelina-jolie/i-respect-all-religions-what-i-don-t-respect-is-when-people-use/) [Angelina Jolie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angelina-jolie/) > [It is hypocrisy for man to make any other use of his religion, or the credit of it, than to sanctify and save his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-whichcote/it-is-hypocrisy-for-man-to-make-any-other-use-of-his-religion-or-the/) [Benjamin Whichcote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-whichcote/) > [The use of "religion" as an excuse to repress the freedom of expression and to deny human rights is not confined to any country…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/the-use-of-religion-as-an-excuse-to-repress-the-freedom-of-expression/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [Religion is a big problem in Israel and the Arab world, but again, the problem isn't religion but political leaders who want to use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-kurlansky/religion-is-a-big-problem-in-israel-and-the-arab-world-but-again-the/) [Mark Kurlansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-kurlansky/) > [“Sin says, "Do you have a relationship with God, the gods, or a emulate something in the fashion of a god (nature, science, etc.?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-and-tiffany-domena/sin-says-do-you-have-a-relationship-with-god-the-gods-or-a-emulate/) [Stephen and Tiffany Domena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-and-tiffany-domena/) ## More by Winston Graham > [“Yet, although he could not quite work this out in simple terms in his own mind, the very savour of life, he thought, was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-graham/yet-although-he-could-not-quite-work-this-out-in-simple-terms-in-his/) [Winston Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-graham/) > [When you bring an idealised relationship down to the level of an ordinary one it isn't necessarily the ordinary one that suffers'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-graham/when-you-bring-an-idealised-relationship-down-to-the-level-of-an/) [Winston Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-graham/) > [“It is hopeless for older people to tell younger ones – particularly their own children – that they have been through the same thing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-graham/it-is-hopeless-for-older-people-to-tell-younger-ones-particularly/) [Winston Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-graham/) > [Give me the comma of imperfect striving, thus to find zest in the immediate living. Ever the reaching but never the gaining, ever the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-graham/give-me-the-comma-of-imperfect-striving-thus-to-find-zest-in-the/) [Winston Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-graham/) > [“Tedn’t right. Tedn’t tidy. Tedn’t fair. Tedn’t clean. Tedn’t good enough.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-graham/tedn-t-right-tedn-t-tidy-tedn-t-fair-tedn-t-clean-tedn-t-good-enough/) [Winston Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-graham/) > [“he was deeply annoyed at having to leave the fair before he was drunk, a thing that had never happened to him since he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-graham/he-was-deeply-annoyed-at-having-to-leave-the-fair-before-he-was-drunk/) [Winston Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-graham/) > [“Perhaps,” said Demelza, trembling all over. “Perhaps I’d ought to have asked for an introduction seeing it’s so long since we met.” “I don’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-graham/perhaps-said-demelza-trembling-all-over-perhaps-i-d-ought-to-have/) [Winston Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-graham/) > [“Give me some surety if you want to continue. It is not late yet.” Ross offered his gold watch, which had belonged to his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-graham/give-me-some-surety-if-you-want-to-continue-it-is-not-late-yet-ross/) [Winston Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-graham/) > [“Not for the first time he was conscious of emotional lights and shades in his wife that could not be categorized, could not be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-graham/not-for-the-first-time-he-was-conscious-of-emotional-lights-and/) [Winston Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-graham/) > [“Sir Hugh squeezed her arm so often that Demelza began to wonder if the show was all a pretext for being with her in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-graham/sir-hugh-squeezed-her-arm-so-often-that-demelza-began-to-wonder-if/) [Winston Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-graham/) > [“All the conflicting feeling inside her suddenly found an outlet. The mixed motives for asking him in—the liking, the affection, the feminine curiosity, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-graham/all-the-conflicting-feeling-inside-her-suddenly-found-an-outlet-the/) [Winston Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-graham/) > [“It’s gone!” he shouted. “The brandy!” said Prudie, lurching to her feet. “’Ere, who’s stolen it? ’Twas there an hour gone—” “Not all three…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-graham/it-s-gone-he-shouted-the-brandy-said-prudie-lurching-to-her-feet-ere/) [Winston Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-graham/) > [“Help, help, help, I am lost in the very deeps of the earth. 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Cine a surpat drumul spre viitor al celor din morminte?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ionel-teodoreanu/cine-a-ucis-stelele-cine-a-surpat-drumul-spre-viitor-al-celor-din/) [Ionel Teodoreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ionel-teodoreanu/) > [“MIND & GRIND Self-belief and hard work can propel you past more talented peers”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamil-ali/mind-grind-self-belief-and-hard-work-can-propel-you-past-more/) [Kamil Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamil-ali/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [It took me 20 years of hard training to get the physique I have today. what you need is what i had - BELIEF…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-warren/it-took-me-20-years-of-hard-training-to-get-the-physique-i-have-today/) [Branch Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-warren/) > [“Here is a fundamental difference between the man of faith and the man of unbelief. The unbeliever is 'of the world', judges everything by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/here-is-a-fundamental-difference-between-the-man-of-faith-and-the-man/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [“She herself vacillated when it came to belief. She did not particularly believe in God. Or, rather, she didn't believe in a particular God.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/she-herself-vacillated-when-it-came-to-belief-she-did-not/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [“Rigid traditions capture souls prisons of spiritual thought man’s religion has captured a god grown too small and very weak.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-w-earle/rigid-traditions-capture-souls-prisons-of-spiritual-thought-man-s/) [David W Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-w-earle/) > [We can find common qualities and common values that have made Britain the country it is. 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But now and then I feel that there is something beyond the material world, something we all feel intimations of but cannot explain. Underneath the religious vision there is the harsh fundamental reality of all our lives, because we know we must live and die as the animals we are. 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