The quote "Religions are the cradles of despotism" by Marquis de Sade indicates that religious institutions and beliefs have traditionally been used to validate and enforce overbearing systems of government. The idea of a magnificent authority has frequently been utilized to legitimize the power of rulers and suppress dissent amongst the masses.
By explaining religions as "cradles of despotism," de Sade recommends that they provide the fertile ground for oppressive regimes to grow and thrive. Furthermore, he possibly indicates that spiritual structures and beliefs have actually been successfully used by those in power to manage and control the population.
In general, the quote highlights the threats of linking religion and political power and the capacity for such connections to cause tyranny and oppression.
"Well, I think any time you delve into this sort of religion, politics, as you well know, you're going to, you know, touch a few nerves. I wasn't - now - and this is the honest truth"
"No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite"
"War is the greatest plague that can afflict humanity, it destroys religion, it destroys states, it destroys families. Any scourge is preferable to it"
"It's not just the effect of technology on the environment, on religion, on the economic structure, on society, on politics, etc. It's that everything now exists in technology to the point where technology is the new and comprehensive host of nature of life"
"Art is exalted above religion and race. Not a single solitary soul these days believes in the religions of the Assyrians, the Egyptians and the Greeks... Only their art, whenever it was beautiful, stands proud and exalted, rising above all time"
"We must respect the other fellow's religion, but only in the sense and to the extent that we respect his theory that his wife is beautiful and his children smart"
