Scottish actor Brian Cox criticized religion for causing “all kinds of horror” during a recent episode of The Starting Line podcast. Cox, who identifies as an atheist-socialist, believes that religion has prevented humans from facing reality and has contributed to their own ignorance.
According to Cox, the concept of God is a misguided belief that distracts people from introspection and self-examination. He described the Bible as a “mythology” and criticized it for perpetuating patriarchal ideas and control issues. Cox argued that humans have not progressed enough to solve their problems without relying on religion.
Drawing from personal experience, Cox shared his mother’s struggles with mental illness, which he attributed to her adherence to religious faith. He believes that religion has caused suffering and led to atrocities like the Holocaust and conflicts in regions like Ukraine and Gaza.
Cox suggested that the theater, not religion, offers answers to life’s profound questions. He views acting as a form of self-discovery and considers the theater to be the “church of humanity.”
Overall, Cox’s views emphasize the detrimental effects of religion on society and advocate for a more introspective and human-centered approach to addressing challenges.
