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About this quote

What does it mean?
Religions without creativity reduce gods to decorative ornaments rather than vital forces.
In plain terms
When religion loses creativity its gods become just decorations for lonely people.
What can you take from it?
Maintain creative energy in faith to keep it vital.

Where it applies

  • cultural critique
  • religious practice
  • artistic reflection

Putting it to work

  • revive tradition
  • seek authenticity
  • foster creativity

Questions to consider

  • When does religion become decoration?
  • What keeps faith alive?

Another view

It dismisses ornamental religion as useless which some find comforting.

More from Nikos Kazantzakis

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  2. As I watched the seagulls, I thought: 'That's the road to take; find the absolute rhythm and follow it with absolute trust.'

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  3. How simple and frugal a thing is happiness: a glass of wine, a roast chestnut, a wretched little brazier, the sound of the sea. . . . All that is required to f…

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