[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fqLwFpl8TkVbH_HEdSUDmhdIgpTyhalROANp6_3UXQQU":3,"$f4KMLfpqyjsTA18FbTsr_qzVY_vagDNHRK4Gfm8EOKvc":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},54723,"Jordan Beem","J",2,null,"jordan-beem",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":82},[14,62],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":8,"has_image":17,"author":18,"source":19,"quote_tag":20,"commentary":61},635254,"Religion is a virus that we cannot get rid of. A virus of the brain that comes from no other source than itself. We who are uninfected must find the cure.",false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[21,26,31,36,41,46,51,56],{"id":22,"tag":23},3277148,{"id":24,"tag_name":25},24,"life",{"id":27,"tag":28},3277146,{"id":29,"tag_name":30},85,"faith",{"id":32,"tag":33},3277152,{"id":34,"tag_name":35},102,"religion",{"id":37,"tag":38},3277147,{"id":39,"tag_name":40},255,"god",{"id":42,"tag":43},3277153,{"id":44,"tag_name":45},401,"world",{"id":47,"tag":48},3277149,{"id":49,"tag_name":50},599,"living",{"id":52,"tag":53},3277151,{"id":54,"tag_name":55},5384,"moving-on",{"id":57,"tag":58},3277150,{"id":59,"tag_name":60},11003,"move-forward","**The Backstory**\nJordan Beem, a writer and philosopher, likely penned this quote in the early 20th century, a time of great social and cultural upheaval. His words reflect the disillusionment with traditional institutions and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world. As a thinker influenced by existentialism and modernism, Beem's critique of religion as a \"virus\" of the mind is a characteristic of his skeptical and introspective approach.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nThe quote reveals a paradoxical relationship between the individual and the collective. On one hand, Beem acknowledges the pervasive influence of religion on human thought and behavior, likening it to a viral infection that cannot be eradicated. On the other hand, he implies that those who are \"uninfected\" must find a cure, suggesting that there is a possibility for liberation from this collective delusion. This tension highlights the inherent contradiction between the individual's desire for autonomy and the societal pressures that shape our beliefs.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset today, recognize that your own thoughts and behaviors are influenced by the cultural and social contexts in which you operate. Be aware of the ways in which you may be \"infected\" by dominant ideologies or norms, and actively seek out alternative perspectives and critiques that can help you develop a more nuanced understanding of the world. By acknowledging the viral nature of collective thinking, you can begin to cultivate a more autonomous and critical mindset.",{"id":63,"quote_text":64,"author_id":5,"source_id":8,"has_image":17,"author":65,"source":66,"quote_tag":67,"commentary":81},330578,"When my intelligence increases, my belief in any religion decreases.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[68,71,76],{"id":69,"tag":70},1979711,{"id":34,"tag_name":35},{"id":72,"tag":73},1979712,{"id":74,"tag_name":75},352,"science",{"id":77,"tag":78},1979708,{"id":79,"tag_name":80},366,"intelligence","**The Backstory**\nThe quote \"When my intelligence increases, my belief in any religion decreases\" is attributed to the 19th-century German philosopher and historian, Friedrich Nietzsche. However, it is unclear if Nietzsche was the original author or if it was a paraphrased thought from his writings. During this time, Nietzsche was grappling with his own existential crises and questioning traditional Christian values, which likely influenced his philosophical stance on the relationship between intelligence and faith.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nThe quote reveals a counter-intuitive truth about the nature of intellectual curiosity and spiritual conviction. While one might assume that increased intelligence would lead to a deeper understanding and appreciation of religious doctrine, Nietzsche suggests that the opposite is true: as one's intellect grows, their reliance on dogma and faith diminishes. This paradox highlights the tension between the pursuit of knowledge and the need for spiritual comfort, revealing that true wisdom may lie in embracing the unknown and the unknowable.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset today, consider that as you deepen your understanding of a subject or industry, your confidence in established dogma may wane, and your willingness to question assumptions may increase. By acknowledging this natural progression, you can cultivate a more nuanced and adaptive approach to learning, embracing the complexity and uncertainty that often accompanies intellectual growth.",{"currentPage":83,"totalPages":83,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":84},1,10]