Quotes on Religion

The the question whether I am a pessimist or an optimist, I answer that my knowledge is pessimistic, but my willing and hope are optimistic.

My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust?

Is man merely a mistake of God's? Or God merely a mistake of man?

I was at this time living, like so many Atheists or Antitheists, in a whirl of contradictions. I maintained that God did not exist. I was also very angry with God for not existing. I was equally angry with Him for creating a world.

Oh, Adam’s sons, how cleverly you defend yourselves against all that might do you good!

One of the proofs of the immortality of the soul is that myriads have believed it. They also believed the world was flat.

Men create gods after their own image, not only with regard to their form but with regard to their mode of life.

Religion is an illusion and it derives its strength from the fact that it falls in with our instinctual desires.

In the affairs of this world, men are saved not by faith, but by the want of it.

It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so.

The genuine and simple religion of Jesus will one day be restored: such as it was preached and practiced by Himself.

Religion has done love a great service by making it a sin.