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About this quote

What does it mean?
Religion arises from innate human intuition rather than mistaken belief.
In plain terms
People feel religion deeply because it is natural to them.
What can you take from it?
Trust collective intuition over dismissing traditions as mere errors.

Where it applies

  • theological debates
  • cultural preservation
  • spiritual counseling

Putting it to work

  • respect religious practices
  • study folk beliefs
  • avoid dismissive rhetoric

Questions to consider

  • What instincts drive your spiritual beliefs?
  • Is all tradition inherently truthful?

Another view

This view overlooks harmful dogmas that are culturally ingrained.

More from Ernest Renan

  1. Man makes holy what he believes.

    Permalink to quote #12
  2. The greatest men of a nation are those it puts to death.

    Permalink to quote #14
  3. Communism is in conflict with human nature.

    Permalink to quote #11

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