This quote suggests that for society to reach a state of happiness, it must first do away with religion. The underlying premise here is that religion, according to the quote, is a barrier to happiness. This could be interpreted as religion causing division among people, leading to conflicts and unhappiness. It might also be seen as a critique of the way religion can be used as a tool of control, restricting individual freedoms and stifening personal growth.
In a broader sense, the quote could be seen as a call for the separation of personal beliefs from societal structures. This implies that societal systems and structures should not be based on or influenced by religious beliefs, but instead should be founded on universally accepted principles of fairness, equality, and justice.
In today’s world, this idea could be applied in the context of secularism, a principle that advocates for the separation of government institutions and persons mandated to represent the state from religious institutions and religious dignitaries. This is to ensure that each individual has the freedom to practice their own religion or no religion at all, without any influence or interference from the state.
On a personal development level, this quote could be interpreted as a call to question and challenge the beliefs and norms that we’ve been taught, especially if they limit our growth and happiness. It encourages individuals to seek their own truth and define their own path to happiness, rather than blindly following what they’ve been told. This is not to say that religion cannot be a part of someone’s personal journey to happiness, but rather that it should not be a compulsory or imposed part of that journey.