One of those leaders of what they call the social revolution has said that religion is the opiate of the people. Opium...opium...opium, yes. Let us give them opium so that they can sleep and dream.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Unamuno criticizes revolutionary leaders who use religion to pacify the masses instead of empowering them.
- In plain terms
- Revolutionaries treat religion like a drug to keep people quiet and compliant.
- What can you take from it?
- Avoid using beliefs to suppress critical thinking in others.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who benefits when people stop questioning?
- Is comfort always better than awakening?
Another view
Some argue religion provides comfort rather than just control.
More from Miguel de Unamuno
Let us go on committing suicide by working among our people, and let them dream life just as the lake dreams the sky.
Permalink to quote #25 Besos que vienen riendo, luego llorando se van, y en ellos se va la vida, que nunca mas volvera.
Permalink to quote #27 I would say that teleology is theology, and that God is not a 'because,' but rather an 'in order to.'
Permalink to quote #24
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