It is impossible for there to be a person with no religion {i.e. without any kind of relationship to the world} as it is for there to be a person without a heart. He may not know that he has a religion, just as a person may not know that he has a heart, but it is no more possible for a person to exist without a religion than without a heart.
[In this quote, Tolstoy explores the intrinsic connection between religion and human existence. He suggests that religion isn't merely a set of beliefs or rituals but fundamentally intertwined with our very being, much like our physical heart. The idea that everyone possesses some form of spirituality or relationship to the world is profound because it shifts the conversation from viewing religion as a choice to understanding it as an innate feature of being human.
This perspective urges a reflection on the nature of faith and the universal quest for meaning. Sometimes people overlook their spiritual aspect, maybe because they haven't consciously identified it or because societal norms discourage the acknowledgment of such inner truths. Yet,, according to Tolstoy, it is as impossible for a person to exist without having some form of religious or spiritual relationship as it is for a person to function without a heart. This metaphor emphasizes that spirituality is as vital and as natural as a physical organ.
Applying this understanding can shape how individuals approach their own spirituality and respect the spiritual existence of others. It encourages humility in recognizing that even those who claim to have no religion may be unknowingly living within their own spiritual framework. Moreover, it challenges the notion of religious exclusivity, proposing instead that everyone's inner world inherently involves a relationship to something greater or fundamental.
Such insights prompt us to consider how society perceives religiosity, and whether we appreciate the depth of our own inner life and that of others. This worldview promotes tolerance, empathy, and a deeper search for understanding human nature beyond superficial disagreements—acknowledging that spirituality is woven into our identity and consciousness."