Michael Shermer Quotes

The second is the structure and source of cults. They have always haunted me, and I wanted to explore the fundamental notion of giving up responsibility to an outside power.

Religion is just mind control.

All religions are founded on the fear of the many and the cleverness of the few.

To become a popular religion, it is only necessary for a superstition to enslave a philosophy.

You can look at anything as a cult. Churches are cults in their own way.

Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful.

What's a cult. It just means not enough people to make a minority.

One strength of the Communist system ... is that it has some of the characteristics of a religion and inspires the emotions of a religion.

Propaganda is amazing. People can be led to believe anything.

The trappings of a religious cult tend to fall into candlelit ceremonies and robes and group chanting and singing and prayer.

I took religion much too seriously, however, and its overall effect was depressing. I would have really liked to discard it, but somehow I couldn't.

I've got this theory that human beings are innately religious; we have a belief system. It doesn't have to be a theist form, necessarily. But we need a belief system, some framework on which to hang our behavior.

Scientology is a model control system, a state in fact with its own courts, police, rewards and penalties.

I don't think it takes much for a cult to be a cult. Many parts of our society are cultish, and you only need a charismatic leader and some teachings, and before you know it, you have a cult.

Among politicians the esteem of religion is profitable; the principles of it are troublesome.

A cult is a religion with no political power.

... force is the natural ally of superstition, and superstition knows it well.

Religion is a fraud, but it must be maintained for the masses.

The Zionist invasion is a vicious invasion. It does not refrain from resorting to all methods, using all evil and contemptible ways to achieve its end. It relies greatly in its infiltration and espionage operations on the secret organizations it gave rise to, such as the Freemasons, The Rotary and Lions clubs, and other sabotage groups. All these organizations, whether secret or open, work in the interest of Zionism and according to its instructions. They aim at undermining societies, destroying values, corrupting consciences, deteriorating character and annihilating Islam. It is behind the drug trade and alcoholism in all its kinds so as to facilitate its control and expansion.

Time will tell whether I am a wing nut or a megalomaniac. The difference between a cult and faith is time.

I try to keep everything under wraps. Everything I can do to make sure people don't know what they're getting themselves into, I will do it.

We explored cults in 'Sound of My Voice.' I think cults have an underlying spiritual quality.

Secrets affect you more than you’d think. You lie to keep them hidden. You steer talk away from them. You worry someone’ll discover yours and tell the world. You think you are in charge of the secret, but isn’t it the secret who’s actually using you?

Choose what to believe. He wanted the truth. Why was everybody so determined that he should not get it.

What you don’t know, you can’t tell. Or made to tell.