[R]eligion was the race's first (and worst) attempt to make sense of reality. It was the best the species could do at a time when we had no concept of physics, chemistry, biology or medicine. We did not know that we lived on a round planet, let alone that the said planet was in orbit in a minor and obscure solar system, which was also on the edge of an unimaginably vast cosmos that was exploding away from its original source of energy. We did not know that micro-organisms were so powerful and lived in our digestive systems in order to enable us to live, as well as mounting lethal attacks on us as parasites. We did not know of our close kinship with other animals. We believed that sprites, imps, demons, and djinns were hovering in the air about us. We imagined that thunder and lightning were portentous. It has taken us a long time to shrug off this heavy coat of ignorance and fear, and every time we do there are self-interested forces who want to compel us to put it back on again. Christopher Hitchens
About This Quote

Religion is a set of beliefs that aim to explain the world and give meaning to our lives. Religion can be very helpful when people have a crisis or experience a tragedy in their lives. However, religion can also be very harmful when it sets people against each other, causes conflict within families, and divides communities. In fact, religion has been used in wars and conflicts throughout history.

The idea of religion being a "race's first (and worst)" attempt to make sense of reality is one I find very offensive for many reasons. The fact that religion was created by humans does not make it any less valid in my opinion. It was created by humans because it gives them meaning in their lives.

If this statement were true, then all religions would be the worst when it comes to making sense of reality. In fact, I would argue that there is no religion that is better at understanding reality than another because every religion has the same aim in its beliefs: finding meaning in life and giving purpose to life.

Source: The Portable Atheist: Essential Readings For The Nonbeliever

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More Quotes By Christopher Hitchens
  1. What do you most value in your friends? Their continued existence.
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  4. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him will believeth in anything. - Hitchens 3:16
  5. My own opinion is enough for me, and I claim the right to have it defended against any consensus, any majority, anywhere, any place, any time. And anyone who disagrees with this can pick a number, get in line, and kiss my ass.
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