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Democracies domesticate religious groups to become political players. That's how it works.

In every society in human history, including the United States, those in power seek to imbue themselves with the attributes of religion and patriotism as a way of getting greater support for their policy and insulating themselves from any criticism.

Countless religious innovators over the years have played the game of establishing an identity for themselves by accentuating their otherness.

Religious beliefs evolved by group-selection, tribe competing against tribe, and the illogic of religions is not a weakness but their essential strength.

Religion flourishes in greater purity, without than with the aid of Government.

I have a problem with religion that makes it so, like, 'We are the ones. We are the chosen ones.'

When state and religion are one, religion becomes a means for the powerful to remain in power.

Those who hope to nurture genuine religiosity should first establish liberty.

At their peak, religion and psychotherapy become one.

In religious and in secular affairs, the more fervent beliefs attract followers. If you are a moderate in any respect - if you're a moderate on abortion, if you're a moderate on gun control, or if you're a moderate in your religious faith - it doesn't evolve into a crusade where you're either right or wrong, good or bad, with us or against us.