Such are the heights of wickedness to which men are driven by religion.

Only religion can lead to such evil.

... we in the light sometimes fear what is no more to be feared than the things children in the dark hold in terror and imagine will come true.

At this stage you must admit that whatever is seen to be sentient is nevertheless composed of atoms that are insentient. The phenomena open to our observation so not contradict this conclusion or conflict with it. Rather they lead us by the hand and compel us to believe that the animate is born, as I maintain, of the insentient.

Religious questions have often led to wicked and impious actions.

From the heart of the fountain of delight rises a jet of bitterness that tortures us among the very flowers.

There is so much wrong with the world. (tanta stat praedita culpa)