Quotes With Meaning
I am myself a dissenter from all known religions, and I hope that every kind of religious belief will die out. I do not believe that, on the balance, religious belief has been a force for good. Although I am prepared to admit that in certain times and places it has had some good effects, I regard it as belonging to the infancy of human reason, and to a stage of development which we are now outgrowing.
I am myself a dissenter from all known religions, and I hope that every kind of religious belief will die out. I do not believe that, on the balance, religious belief has been a force for good. Although I am prepared to admit that in certain times and places it has had some good effects, I regard it as belonging to the infancy of human reason, and to a stage of development which we are now outgrowing.
This quote expresses Bertrand Russell's critical view of religion, asserting that he believes it has not contributed positively to human progress. While he acknowledges that in specific contexts, religion may have had beneficial effects, he sees these as exceptions rather than the rule. Russell considers religious belief to be part of humanity’s early development, suggesting that as human reasoning has evolved, reliance on such beliefs should diminish. He advocates for a future where freedom from religious constraints allows for growth in understanding and rational thought. Ultimately, his perspective encourages a mindset focused on reason over faith, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking in shaping a better society.