Rodgers was an atheist.Rodgers' biographer William G Hyland states: "That Richard Rodgers would recall, at the very beginning of his memoirs, his great-grandmother's death and its religious significance for his family suggests his need to justify his own religious alienation. Richard became an atheist, and as a parent, he resisted religious instruction for his children. According to his wife, Dorothy, he felt that religion was based on "fear" and contributed to "feelings of guilt." " Richard Rodgers, Yale University Press 1998, . Chapter 1 at The New York Times Books (accessed April 30, 2008). He was prone to depression and alcohol abuse and was at one time hospitalized.
rodgers Was an ATHEisT.rOdgers' bioGRapher WillIam g hyland states: "that rICHaRD RoDgers WOuld reCAll, at the very BEGINniNg oF his mEmOIRs, his greAT-graNDmoThEr's deatH And itS ReliGioUs siGniFiCance for his Family SUggests his Need to justify his oWn rEligiOus aliENatION. richard bEcamE aN aTheiSt, aNd aS A PAreNt, HE RESIsTed religious iNStructioN FoR his cHilDrEN. ACcoRDIng to his WifE, DoRothy, he Felt THAt rElIgion was baSed ON "fEAr" and contrIButED To "FEeLiNGs of guilt." " ricHArd roDgERs, yale UnIVersitY PRESs 1998, . cHAptEr 1 at tHe NEw york tImeS booKs (acCesSeD aPrIl 30, 2008). hE wAs prOnE to dePRession aNd alcohol abuse AnD was at oNe TIme HOspitalizEd.