Riane Eisler Quotes

Priesthoods were invented in order to provide the commoners and slaves with a theory of the world, so that they could accept society as it was. This theory explained that social inequalities were intrinsically good and necessary.

Since the third century Christianity has always served simultaneously those who supported the social order and those who wished to overthrow it... .

Religion can never reform mankind because religion is slavery.

Religion stands, the Church blocking the sun.

Religion is not merely the opium of the masses, it's the cyanide.

The priesthood has in all ancient nations, nearly monopolized learning.

Liberty's chief foe is theology.

As both Christianity and Judaism have done, Islam can not only survive but thrive in a secular state. Once disassociated from coercive power, it will witness a renewal of spirituality….The secular state has not killed religion; rather, it has put a brake on the state’s manipulation of religion. It took three centuries of efforts by many European philosophers and several revolutions for this fundamental nuance to be developed, accepted, and made understandable to the masses.

Never wage war on religion, nor upon seemingly holy institutions, for this thing has too great a force upon the minds of fools.

Religions are manipulated in order to serve those who govern society and not the other way around.

If religion is still being taught, it is by no means because its ideas still convince us, but simply because some of us want to keep the lower classes quiet. Quiet people are much easier to govern than clamorous and dissatisfied ones. They are also much easier to exploit..

For a person who is very much involved with the institution of religion but has lost the religious spirit, the 'religion' label is the real threat to liberty.

I am drawn to Christ but I have real problems with the Catholic Church.

Religion works on some people but not on everyone, because it says, 'Stop thinking and accept what I tell you.' That's not valid for people who want to think and reflect.

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.

To speak against religion (the Christian) is breaking down the bond of good government.

The Kingdom of Heaven is not a place, but a state of mind.

I'm not Catholic. I don't believe in God. But at the same time, I'm obsessed by the sacred, by spirituality. The question of redemption has been present well before Christianity, but as French people are a bit stupid, they see all that in religious terms.

I was raised a Christian, but I wouldn't call myself a Christian now. I think when I was younger it was easier to focus on the negative, nihilist vision... this is sort of picking up on the other half of the body, which is God and white light.

Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged.

I think most of our religious institutions are pretty corrupt, so they're not reliable. I think the Christian religion that I was brought up with has very little to do with Christ, really, and more an institutions that have built up around the church.

Religion is the organization of spirituality into something that became the hand maiden of conquerors. Nearly all religions were brought to people and imposed on people by conquerors, and used as the framework to control their minds.

The three great elements of modern civilization, Gun powder, Printing, and the Protestant religion.

Set religion free, and a new humanity will begin.

Though I believe in God, I don't believe in religion for everybody. Some people who are a little weak and don't want to shoulder any responsibility need Catholicism. For people at the other extreme, there is Christian Science... I think a powerful conscience is worth all the religions put together.