Religious suffering is at once the expression of real suffering and a protest against real suffering. Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the sentiment of the heartless world, as it is the soul of soulless condition. It is the opium of the people.

In this quote, John Desmond Bernal reflects on the role of religion in response to human suffering. He suggests that religious suffering is both an expression of real, tangible pain and a protest against it. Religion, in this sense, becomes a way for individuals to articulate their discontent with the injustices and hardships of the world. However, it also serves as a means of coping with suffering, offering comfort and solace in the face of a heartless and oppressive world. The quote connects the idea of religion with a desire for change, but also an acceptance of the status quo.

Bernal continues by describing religion as the "sigh of the oppressed creature"—a metaphor that suggests it is a natural and deeply felt response to the harshness of life. For the oppressed, religion provides a form of emotional expression and relief from their suffering. At the same time, religion becomes a sentiment of the heartless world, pointing to how it can be manipulated by those in power to pacify the oppressed, keeping them from rising up against their condition. This dual role of religion as both a protest and a sedative is a central theme in Marxist thought, where religion is often seen as a tool of both repression and consolation.

Bernal’s comparison of religion to opium echoes Karl Marx’s famous description of religion as the "opium of the people." The idea is that religion dulls the pain of the oppressed, much like opium dulls physical pain, preventing them from fully confronting or challenging the real suffering and exploitation they face. This opium metaphor suggests that while religion provides temporary relief, it can also prevent meaningful social change by offering a false sense of peace or hope in an otherwise unjust world. It becomes a way for people to endure their suffering without seeking to address the root causes.

The origin of this quote can be attributed to John Desmond Bernal, an influential Irish scientist and Marxist thinker. Bernal, like other Marxist theorists, explored the relationship between ideology, religion, and social structures. His work often centered on how ideas and beliefs, including religious ones, shape societal systems and influence the struggles of the working class. This quote encapsulates his view that religion, while offering comfort, ultimately functions as a tool that both reflects and perpetuates the suffering of the oppressed.