The imaginary flowers of religion adorn man's chains. Man must throw off the flowers, and also the chains.

Religion is a matter between the man and his Maker.

Religion consists in a set of things which the average man thinks he believes and wishes he was certain of.

Religion is the opiate of the masses.

The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is the demand for their real happiness.

To call on them to give up their illusions about their condition is to call on them to give up a condition that requires illusions. The criticism of religion is, therefore, in embryo, the criticism of that vale of tears of which religion is the halo.