Taking issue with biographical interpretations of Nietzsche, Hödl shows that Nietzsche's critique of religion cannot be understood solely from the negative experiences of his religious socialisation. The author presents a survey of the theoretical bases of Nietzsche's critique of religion and develops the direction of his religious philosophy from these. It is based on a more comprehensive aesthetical-cultural philosophy and, after destroying the 'essence' shaped by religions, is directed towards opening a space for a new human determination after the end of the 'old ideal'. Nietzsche's self-references are not primarily to be interpreted 'biographically', but within the context of this systematic design.