Since the 18th century, many Western intellectuals have predicted religion's imminent demise.

Summary

This quote highlights the trend among Western intellectuals during the 18th century of predicting the eventual decline of religion. Many scholars believed that as society progressed and scientific knowledge advanced, belief in religious doctrines would no longer hold the same significance. These intellectuals presumed that modernity and rationality would replace religious dogmas, leading to the eventual demise of organized religions. The quote reflects the historical perspective on the anticipated decline of religion that was prominent in Western intellectual thought.

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