Religion is part of the human make-up. It's also part of our cultural and intellectual history. Religion was our first attempt at literature, the texts, our first attempt at cosmology, making sense of where we are in the universe, our first attempt at health care, believing in faith healing, our first attempt at philosophy.

The quote "Religion is part of the human make-up. It's also part of our cultural and intellectual history. Religion was our first attempt at literature, the texts, our first attempt at cosmology, making sense of where we are in the universe, our first attempt at health care, believing in faith healing, our first attempt at philosophy." by Christopher Hitchens explores the multifaceted role of religion in human development. Hitchens acknowledges that religion is deeply embedded in our human nature and has historically shaped many aspects of culture and knowledge.

This quote emphasizes that religion served as humanity’s earliest framework for explaining the world, providing stories and texts that can be seen as the first forms of literature. It was also an early form of cosmology, helping people understand their place in the universe. Furthermore, religion was intertwined with early concepts of health care, such as faith healing, and was a foundation for philosophical inquiry about life, existence, and morality.

Christopher Hitchens, a noted author and critic known for his secular and often controversial views on religion, here offers a nuanced perspective. While he was critical of religion’s influence, he recognized its historical significance and foundational role in shaping human civilization. This quote reflects his understanding that religion, regardless of its truth claims, was central to the development of culture, science, and thought.

In essence, Hitchens’s words remind us that religion has been a fundamental part of human history and intellectual evolution. It highlights religion’s complex legacy as both a source of cultural expression and a starting point for humanity’s quest to understand the world and ourselves.