Without religion you have good people doing good things, and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, it takes religion. (Quoting Steven Weinberg)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Good and evil people exist regardless of religion, but religion is uniquely capable of mobilizing good people to commit evil acts.
- In plain terms
- Religion can make good people do bad things even if it does not cause all evil.
- What can you take from it?
- Be wary of how ideology can motivate ordinary people to harm.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can good intentions justify bad actions?
- What motivates evil acts?
Another view
Critics argue religion also motivates good deeds.
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