Religions do a useful thing: they narrow God to the limits of man. Philosophy replies by doing a necessary thing: it elevates man to the plane of God. Victor Hugo elevategodlimit Change image and share on social
Religions have a strong binding function and a cohesive element. They emphasize the primacy of the community as opposed to the individual, and they also help set one community apart from another that doesn't share their beliefs. Frans de Waal beliefbindcohesive share on social
Religions have always stressed that compassion is not only central to religious life, it is the key to enlightenment and it the true test of spirituality. But there have always have been those who'd rather put easier goals, like doctrine conformity, in place. Karen Armstrong centralcompassionconformity share on social
Religions in general have to rediscover their roots. In Hinduism and the Koran, animals are described as equals. If you walk into a cathedral and look at the decorations of early Christianity, there are vines, animals, creatures and birds thriving all over the stonework. Margaret Atwood animalbirdcathedral share on social
Religions take donations and don't pay taxes. Deepak Chopra donationpayreligion Change image and share on social
Religions tend to disappear with man's good fortune. Raymond Queneau disappearfortunegood Change image and share on social
Religions that teach brotherly love have been used as an excuse for persecution, and our profoundest scientific insight is made into a means of mass destruction. Bertrand Russell brotherlydestructionexcuse Change image and share on social
Religions themselves are... peace-loving. They can also be a constructive force in peace-building, and this also applies to the Middle East. Martti Ahtisaari applybuildconstructive Change image and share on social
Religions, which condemn the pleasures of sense, drive men to seek the pleasures of power. Throughout history power has been the vice of the ascetic. Bertrand Russell asceticcondemndrive Change image and share on social
