Albert Einstein Quotes

I don't criticise anybody, but I just don't understand religion. Like I don't understand nationalism. These are the two things that cause wars. I don't understand why they are supposed to be good things.

Every major question in history is a religious question. It has more effect in molding life than nationalism or a common language.

When the problems in Northern Ireland started, it was not a question of Protestantism or Catholicism, because the Catholic church was the only church at that time-it was a nationalist conflict.

Christianity has not conquered nationalism; the opposite has been the case nationalism has made Christianity its footstool.

Religion is often just tribalism: pride in a group one was born into, a group that is often believed to have 'God' on its side.

Unfortunately, religion, like patriotism, is easy to misuse for political purposes.

I think religion has caused so much catastrophe in the world.

Anyone born and bred in Northern Ireland can't be too optimistic.

A sect or party is an elegant incognito devised to save a man from the vexation of thinking.

… the strangest sight in the world—two races hating one another for the love of God

Pluralism, democracy, unity, respect all mean nothing because on the ground, we hate each other

Commerce has not delivered us out of history’s passions, the World Wide Web has not cast aside blood and kin and faith.

Religion has been so divisive that people have killed one another, believing they were doing the work of God.

Tribalism is the most powerful force in the world.

The Anglo-Irish of the Pale and the native Irish … hate one another as much as any two nations in the world ...

For me, tribalism and religion are basically the big reasons we're in trouble. Patriotism, tribalism, and religion.

Religion is a big problem in Israel and the Arab world, but again, the problem isn't religion but political leaders who want to use the religion.

It was the British who defined religion to divide and rule. That is what created the heat. That is what created the cut. Partition happened because of the rulers, fueled by a few powerful families on both sides who stood to gain. It is the politicians that keep everyone fighting.

My point is not that religion itself is the motivation for wars, murders and terrorist attacks, but that religion is the principal label, and the most dangerous one, by which a "they" as opposed to a "we" can be identified at all.

Race, Religion, Ethnic Pride, Nationalism does nothing but teach you how to hate people you have never met

The only religion that still demands human sacrifice is nationalism.

Liberals hate religion because politics is a religion substitute for liberals and they can't stand the competition.

And it is impossible to treat human beings as human beings if you label them, if you term them, if you give them a name as Hindus, Russians, or what you will. It is so much easier to label people, for then you can pass by and kick them, drop a bomb on India or Japan.

As a species we're fundamentally insane. Put more than two of us in a room, we pick sides and start dreaming up reasons to kill one another. Why do you think we invented politics and religion?

I loathe nationalism. It is a form of tribalism--the idolatry of the 20th century.