Essence of evil

I think disguise is the essence of evil. Doing an evil thing doesn't make a person evil. But calling the evil good, believing the disguise - that's when real trouble begins. And if disguise is the essence of evil, there is surely no better disguise than the cloak of religious piety. Never do people do evil so cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction. The true miracle is that there is not more downright wickedness in all the religious institutions of the world.

"Creedo" by William Sloane Coffin