A man either lives life as it happens to him, meets it head-on and licks it, or he turns his back on it and starts to wither away.
Gene RoddenberryRead
I condemn false prophets, I condemn the effort to take away the power of rational decision, to drain people of their free will - and a hell of a lot of money in the bargain. Religions vary in their degree of idiocy, but I reject them all. For most people, religion is nothing more than a substitute for a malfunctioning brain.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote critiques religion and its impact on rational thinking and free will.
In this quote, Gene Roddenberry expresses a strong disdain for organized religion, arguing that it often undermines rational decision-making and individual autonomy. He suggests that many followers use religion as a mental crutch, which distracts from critical thinking and personal responsibility, ultimately leading to negative consequences for both individuals and society at large.
Themes
ReligionRationalityFree WillCriticismPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a debate on the role of religion in modern society.
More from Gene Roddenberry
All quotes →'Star Trek' episodes always insisted that humanity is on its bumpy way to what will be a glorious future in the 23rd century, in which we will have left most of our old selfishness - and old hatreds and prejudices - far behind us.
Gene RoddenberryRead
The network told me to get rid of Number One, the woman first lieutenant, and also get rid of 'that Martian fellow'... meaning, of course, Spock. I knew I couldn't keep both, so I gave the stoicism of the female officer to Spock, and married the actress who played Number One. Thank God it wasn't the other way around. I mean Leonard's cute, but...
Gene RoddenberryRead
For me science fiction is a way of thinking, a way of logic that bypasses a lot of nonsense. It allows people to look directly at important subjects.
Gene RoddenberryRead
Star Trek says that it has not all happened, it has not all been discovered, that tomorrow can be as challenging and adventurous as any time man has ever lived.
Gene RoddenberryRead
I believe in humanity. We are an incredible species. We're still just a child creature, we're still being nasty to each other. And all children go through those phases. We're growing up, we're moving into adolescence now. When we grow up - man, we're going to be something!
Gene RoddenberryRead
Similar quotes
Dying is not romantic, and death is not a game which will soon be over... Death is not anything... death is not... It's the absence of presence, nothing more... the endless time of never coming back... a gap you can't see, and when the wind blows through it, it makes not sound.
Tom StoppardRead
To interpose the threat of physical destruction between a man and his perception of reality, is to negate and paralyze his means of survival to force him to act against his own judgment, is like forcing him to act against his own sight
Ayn RandRead
A man with a machine and inadequate culture is a pestilence.
Wendell BerryRead
There is only one thing I fear in life, my friend: One day, the black will swallow the red.
Mark RothkoRead
Neither genius, fame, nor love show the greatness of the soul. Only kindness can do that.
Jean-Baptiste Henri LacordaireRead
The Constitution overrides a statute, but a statute, if consistent with the Constitution, overrides the law of judges. In this sense, judge-made law is secondary and subordinate to the law that is made by legislators.
Benjamin N. CardozoRead