Religion unites man with God, or forms a communication between them; yet do they not say, 'God is infinite?' If God be infinite, no finite being can have communication or relation with him.

In this quote, Baron d'Holbach questions the concept of communication between humans and God in the context of religious beliefs. He acknowledges that religion is typically seen as a means to unite man with God or create a form of communication between the finite human and the infinite divine. However, he raises a philosophical challenge: if God is infinite, how can a finite being, such as a human, truly communicate or establish a relationship with Him? D'Holbach is pointing out a potential contradiction in the idea of humans having a direct connection with an infinite, boundless entity.

The origin of this quote comes from d'Holbach's philosophical and atheistic beliefs, as expressed in his work The System of Nature. As a prominent figure in the Enlightenment and a critic of organized religion, d'Holbach was known for questioning religious doctrines and promoting a more scientific, materialistic understanding of the world. His writing often challenged traditional religious concepts, and this quote is a reflection of his skepticism regarding the possibility of a meaningful connection between finite humans and an infinite God.

D'Holbach's statement also speaks to a larger philosophical inquiry into the nature of divinity and the limitations of human perception. By pointing out the infinite nature of God, he highlights the difficulty, if not impossibility, of conceptualizing or relating to something beyond human comprehension. This idea suggests that traditional religious notions of communication with God might be more symbolic or metaphorical rather than literal.

Ultimately, d'Holbach’s quote serves as a critique of religious concepts that involve a personal relationship with the divine, urging readers to reconsider the logical coherence of such beliefs. It challenges the idea that finite beings, with their limited understanding, can truly have a direct or meaningful communication with an infinite, all-encompassing God, and raises important questions about the nature of faith and spirituality.