The history of man proves that religion perverts man's concept of life and the universe, and has made him a cringing coward before the blind forces of nature.If you believe that there is a God; that man was 'created'; that he was forbidden to eat of the fruit of the 'tree of knowledge'; that he disobeyed; that he is a 'fallen angel'; that he is paying the penalty for his 'sins,' then you devote your time praying to appease an angry and jealous God.If, on the other hand, you believe that the universe is a great mystery; that man is the product of evolution; that he is born without knowledge; that intelligence comes from experience, then you devote your time and energies to improving his condition with the hope of securing a little happiness here for yourself and your fellow man.That is the difference.If man was 'created,' then someone made a grievous mistake.

About This Quote

About Joseph Lewis, An Atheist Manifesto

Joseph Lewis, An Atheist Manifesto.

Themes

  • History — Lessons from the past and the arc of human civilisation
  • Life — Reflections on the meaning, challenges, and beauty of life
  • Nature — Appreciation for the natural world and our place within it
  • Science — Discovery, inquiry, and the wonders of the natural world

More quotes by Joseph Lewis, An Atheist Manifesto

Related Quotes