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About this quote

What does it mean?
Russell states that organized Christianity has been the main obstacle to moral progress.
In plain terms
He calls organized Christianity the chief enemy of moral progress.
What can you take from it?
Recognize and address institutional barriers to ethics.

Where it applies

  • historical analysis
  • social reform debates

Putting it to work

  • separating church and state
  • promoting secular ethics

Questions to consider

  • What factors truly hinder moral progress?
  • How can societies balance religious freedom with ethical development?

Another view

His claim is sweeping and may ignore positive moral contributions of religion.

More from Bertrand Russell

  1. Neither acquiescence in skepticism nor acquiescence in dogma is what education should produce. What it should produce is a belief that knowledge is attainable …

    Permalink to quote #22
  2. Religion is based, I think, primarily and mainly upon fear. It is partly the terror of the unknown and partly, as I have said, the wish to feel that you have a…

    Permalink to quote #24
  3. The good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.

    Permalink to quote #21

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