Belief Quote by Yuval Noah Harari
““Religion can thus be defined as a system of human norms and values that is founded on a belief in a superhuman order. This involves two distinct criteria:””
About This Quote
Source Book: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Yuval Noah Harari, 2014
Religion is presented as a human‑created system of norms and values anchored in belief in a transcendent order, defined by two criteria.
In simple terms: Religion = human norms based on belief in a higher order.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how belief structures shape societies.
Themes
belief
culture
societal structures
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
explanatory
When to use this quote
- academic study
- interfaith dialogue
- policy making
Key Concepts
norms
values
superhuman order
Questions to Reflect On
- How do these criteria manifest in modern institutions?
- Can secular systems replace these functions?
A Different Perspective
Religion can be used to justify oppression or conflict.
![“Thank God [Donald Trump] said I was a politician because Aristotle defined the human person as 'animal politicus.' At least I am a human person. As to whether I am a pawn, well, maybe, I don't know. I'll leave that up to your judgment and that of the people.” quote by Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c22/pope-francis-85_animal_thank-god-donald-trump-said-i-was-a-poli_1653443.jpg)
