[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$f3BHmCkTz9WxtO_jWVtMxXlwr8JBwgg5F0LX-BXPlFXA":3,"$fBxfIc9g_OBDmOmObysYQH201cS3Z-oyMYzJp0otY0mw":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},68903,"David Eller","D",6,null,"david-eller",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":78},[14,21,27,34,40,57],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":8,"has_image":17,"author":18,"source":19,"quote_tag":20,"commentary":9},2965275,"In the absence of evidence, the scientist says, ‘I don’t know,’ but the religionist says, ‘I believe.’",false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":22,"quote_text":23,"author_id":5,"source_id":8,"has_image":17,"author":24,"source":25,"quote_tag":26,"commentary":9},2965256,"One does not have to prove a negative. One should assume a negative.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":28,"quote_text":29,"author_id":5,"source_id":8,"has_image":17,"author":30,"source":31,"quote_tag":32,"commentary":33},2965253,"Religion is not so bad, unless you believe it.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nDavid Eller, an American philosopher and anthropologist, likely penned this quote. As a professor and author, Eller has written extensively on the topics of religion, philosophy, and humanism. This quote might be from one of his books or lectures, reflecting his critique of the ways in which people engage with religious beliefs.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nThe quote \"Religion is not so bad, unless you believe it\" contains a profound paradox. On the surface, it seems to be a harmless statement, but upon closer examination, it reveals a trenchant critique of the way people often approach and internalize religious dogma. By suggesting that the problem lies not with the religion itself, but with the act of believing in it, Eller is highlighting the tension between faith and critical thinking.\n\n**How to Use This**\nIn today's world, where misinformation and ideological polarization are rampant, this quote offers a valuable strategy for navigating complex issues: **distinguish between the ideas and the emotional investment in them**. When engaging with a contentious topic, try to separate your emotional attachment to a particular perspective from your critical evaluation of the facts, and you'll be better equipped to think clearly and make informed decisions.",{"id":35,"quote_text":36,"author_id":5,"source_id":8,"has_image":17,"author":37,"source":38,"quote_tag":39,"commentary":9},2965241,"If one has belief, knowledge is lacking. If one has knowledge, belief is unnecessary.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":41,"quote_text":42,"author_id":5,"source_id":43,"has_image":17,"author":44,"source":45,"quote_tag":46,"commentary":9},503167,"Both freethought and anthropology are symptoms of the same underlying condition - the relative condition, the condition of difference.",2,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[47,52],{"id":48,"tag":49},2806348,{"id":50,"tag_name":51},2207,"anthropology",{"id":53,"tag":54},2806349,{"id":55,"tag_name":56},12685,"freethought",{"id":58,"quote_text":59,"author_id":5,"source_id":43,"has_image":17,"author":60,"source":61,"quote_tag":62,"commentary":9},459664,"Insularity is the foundation of ethnocentrism and intolerance; when you only know of those like yourself, it is easy to imagine that you are alone in the world or alone in being good and right in the world. Exposure to diversity, on the contrary, is the basis for relativism and tolerance; when you are forced to face and accept the Other as real, unavoidable, and ultimately valuable, you cannot help but see yourself and your 'truths' in a new - and trouble - way.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[63,68,73],{"id":64,"tag":65},2619404,{"id":66,"tag_name":67},1651,"tolerance",{"id":69,"tag":70},2619402,{"id":71,"tag_name":72},2163,"intolerance",{"id":74,"tag":75},2619403,{"id":76,"tag_name":77},24935,"relativism",{"currentPage":79,"totalPages":79,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":80},1,10]