Religion is only the illusory sun which revolves round man as long as he does not revolve round himself.

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.

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

To me religion is a deeply personal thing in which man and God go it alone together, without the witch doctor in the middle. The witch doctor tries to convince us that we have to ask God for help, to spell out to him what we need, even to bribe him with prayer or cash on the line.

It was the experience of mystery - even if mixed with fear - that engendered religion.