Writer Between Worlds

“Religion (…) does not refer to a system that has necessarily to do with a concept of God, or with idols, or even to a system perceived as religion, but to any group-shared system of thought and action, that offers the individuals their frame of orientation and an object of devotion. Indeed, in this broad sense of the word, no culture of the past or present, and it seems no culture in the future can be conceived as not having religion. (…) People may worship animals, trees, idols of gold or stone, an invisible God, a saintly person, or a diabolic leader. They may worship their ancestors, their nation, their class or party, money or success. Their religion may be conducive to the development of destructiveness or of love, of domination or of solidarity. It may further their power of reason or paralyze it.”

Erich Fromm – To Have or to Be?