Jon Krakauer

Every religion is true one way or another. It is true when understood metaphorically. But when it gets stuck in its own metaphors, interpreting them as facts, then you are in trouble.

Murder is not committed only by deranged individuals. On the contrary, it is often the behavior of ordinary people, conforming to the dictates of their culture and their religion.

To me, fundamentalist Mormonism is an extreme example of how the urge to believe, to follow a particular god or prophet or holy text, can drive people to commit atrocious acts.

The act of asking for forgiveness implies that you are guilty of sin. And in the eyes of the men who lead this religion, the most serious sin of all is apostasy, the sin of turning away from the one true God.

Religion is a powerful force. If you believe that the word of God speaks through a prophet, then you can justify the most extreme behavior.

The problem is that when people are guided by the word of God, they feel justified in doing anything. They don't see the harm they are causing, because they are blinded by their faith.

The truth is, a man can’t ask for the truth and then not accept it. If you ask for the truth, you have to accept the whole truth, not just the parts that make you feel good.

This is the paradox of faith—that it is a freely chosen affirmation of the heart, but that it is more like a surrender than a choice.

The Lord works in mysterious ways, and He has a plan for us all, even if it doesn't make sense to us.

Out of the ashes of tragedy, we can rise again and rebuild. That's the essence of faith.

There is no glory in the killing of innocent people, no matter what the justification may be.

The line between faith and fanaticism is a fine one, and it is easily crossed when people are driven by strong beliefs.