Religion often partakes of the myth of progress that shields us from the terrors of an uncertain future.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Each religion, by the help of more or less myth, which it takes more or less seriously, proposes some method of fortifying the human soul and enabling it to make its peace with its destiny.
I've always been absolutely appalling about the future, but I sort of think that was my childhood religion. We were future deniers. You did your best in the present, which was all around you.
Religion is not a popular error; it is a great instinctive truth, sensed by the people, expressed by the people.
The equation of religion with belief is rather recent.
Religion is about turning untested belief into unshakable truth through the power of institutions and the passage of time.
Religion has endured since the dawn of human consciousness precisely because it encompasses so much of being human. No idea has endured so long, gathered up so many disparate needs and wants and feelings, and inspired so many different paths towards understanding it.
Religion has for too long been placed on the back burner of history, when it may be one of the driving forces in history.
Religion provides us with a puritanical dream, which can never be realized because it goes against human nature.
In course of time, religion came with its rites invoking the aid of good spirits which were even more powerful than the bad spirits, and thus for the time being tempered the agony of fears.
All outward forms of religion are almost useless, and are the causes of endless strife. Believe there is a great power silently working all things for good, behave yourself and never mind the rest.