Acharya Prashant explains that real religion is not confined to any particular sect, organization, or belief system, but is instead an essential religiosity rooted in the mind's honest thirst for peace and rest. He asserts that this religiosity is a fundamental inner need, similar to physical thirst, because the human mind is born with states of restlessness, ignorance, fear, and loneliness. Without true religion, man suffers endlessly. He notes that while atheism can be a useful counter-narrative to the superstitions and stupidities of popular organized religion, it becomes problematic when it leads people to reject core spirituality, truth, and compassion. He argues that many religious reformers were effectively atheists because they rejected the rotten notions of godhood prevalent in their times. However, he warns against discarding the kernel of spirituality along with the outer shell of religion. He emphasizes that while popular religion often involves belief in stories and cosmology, true religiosity is about seeking peace and deep understanding. He concludes that while it is auspicious to move away from superstitious and divisive religious practices, it would be a tragedy to reject the wisdom found in scriptures like the Gita, Vedanta, and Upanishads. Man is a religious animal who cannot live without true religion, yet bad religion prevents one from living fully, necessitating a careful and attentive approach to spirituality.