[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fxBRtkPPsHQw_5wIIhzj1VYLA7vay68o-svP4cWwmOaE":3,"$fEV5Iq4UCKxW010rd4_xUF--1I5CK5tqwALt-MotNO94":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},104127,"David Silverman","D",31,null,"david-silverman-2",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":77},[14,22,28,34,40,46,52,58,65,71],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":9},2971513,"The real reason people oppose marriage equality is religious in nature. Marriage equality is therefore not only a civil rights issue, but also a separation-of-church-and-state issue.",6,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":23,"quote_text":24,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":25,"source":26,"quote_tag":27,"commentary":9},2971507,"That’s why anyone claiming morality is fixed is simply ignorant of world history, or even American history, not to mention the state of the world today.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":29,"quote_text":30,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":31,"source":32,"quote_tag":33,"commentary":9},2971502,"If the Bible and other holy books were at all reliable sources of morality, good and bad religious people wouldn’t both be able to point to their holy books as guidance and inspiration to support their positions.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":35,"quote_text":36,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":37,"source":38,"quote_tag":39,"commentary":9},2971496,"Giving in to terrorism will yield more terrorism, because it works.",{"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":17,"has_image":18,"author":43,"source":44,"quote_tag":45,"commentary":9},2971488,"Hating the scientific method is hating learning.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":47,"quote_text":48,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":49,"source":50,"quote_tag":51,"commentary":9},2971483,"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires. – SUSAN B. ANTHONY.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":53,"quote_text":54,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":55,"source":56,"quote_tag":57,"commentary":9},2971475,"I have heard many times that atheists know more about religion than religious people. Atheism is an effect of that knowledge, not a lack of knowledge. I gave a Bible to my daughter. That’s how you make atheists.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":59,"quote_text":60,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":61,"source":62,"quote_tag":63,"commentary":64},2971464,"Religion serves no purpose except to funnel money and power away from those who need it and leaves in its wake nothing but broken promises and damaged families.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nThis quote, attributed to David Silverman, reflects his critical perspective on organized religion. As an anthropologist and author, Silverman has written extensively on the subject, often challenging the institution's role in society. The sentiment expressed here likely stems from his observations of the consequences of blind faith and the exploitation of power within religious organizations.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nThe quote's significance lies in its subtle yet powerful critique of human nature. On the surface, it appears to be a scathing indictment of organized religion. However, upon closer examination, it reveals a profound commentary on the human tendency to surrender critical thinking in favor of emotional comfort and a sense of belonging. By funneling power and resources away from those who need them most, religion inadvertently reinforces the very social and economic inequalities it claims to address.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this insight to your own life, recognize the ways in which you may be inadvertently supporting systems that perpetuate harm. Be cautious of institutions, including those you hold dear, that prioritize power and wealth over the well-being of their constituents. By adopting a critical perspective and remaining vigilant, you can avoid becoming complicit in the very problems you aim to solve.",{"id":66,"quote_text":67,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":68,"source":69,"quote_tag":70,"commentary":9},2971452,"The sum total of all scientifically valid proof supporting the existence of all of world’s gods, combined, is zero.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":72,"quote_text":73,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":74,"source":75,"quote_tag":76,"commentary":9},2971444,"Religion has no positive value.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"currentPage":78,"totalPages":79,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":80},1,4,10]