Religion is something left over from the infancy of our intelligence; it will fade away as we adopt reason and science as our guidelines.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Russell sees religion as a childhood relic that will disappear as reason and science guide us.
- In plain terms
- Religion will fade when we adopt reason.
- What can you take from it?
- Progress in science reduces reliance on faith.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can reason fully replace religious functions?
- What drives religious persistence?
Another view
Religion fulfills social and emotional roles beyond explanations.
More from Bertrand Russell
In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted.
Permalink to quote #200 Science is what you know, philosophy is what you don't know.
Permalink to quote #202 I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong.
Permalink to quote #199
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