quotations about atheism
It has long been observed, that an atheist has no just reason for endeavouring conversions; and yet none harass those minds which they can influence, with more importunity of solicitation to adopt their opinions. In proportion as they doubt the truth of their own doctrines, they are desirous to gain the attestation of another understanding: and industriously labour to win a proselyte, and eagerly catch at the slightest pretense to dignify their sect with a distinguished name.
SAMUEL JOHNSON
"The Life of Sir Thomas Browne, Kt., M.D."
On second thought, maybe the atheist cannot find God, for the same reason a thief cannot find a policeman.
LAURENCE J. PETER
attributed, Peter's Quotations: Ideas for Our Times
My dog is an atheist: he no longer believes in me.
FRANCOIS CAVANNA
L'almanach-agenda de Cavanna
There are two atheisms of which one is a purification of the notion of God.
SIMONE WEIL
Gravity and Grace
Humans are not inherently wired for religious belief, a new study claims. While modern rhetoric suggests that atheism is an idea of today's world, a professor from the University of Cambridge argues that it is an ancient way of thought, which was later squashed by imperial forces. Disbelief in God (or gods) stretches back to the polytheistic civilizations of ancient Greece and pre-Christian Rome -- and in these ancient societies, atheism likely thrived.
CHEYENNE MACDONALD
"History shows atheism is as natural to humans as religion", Daily Mail, February 18, 2016
A society of atheists would immediately invent a religion.
HONORE DE BALZAC
Le catechisme social
I cannot but pity the man who recognizes nothing godlike in his own nature.
WILLIAM E. CHANNING
Thoughts
You won't be surprised that the Pew Research Center, in a survey released today, found that atheism is still the biggest political liability a candidate could have.
HEMANT MEHTA
"New Survey Shows That Atheism is Still a Political Liability, but Not As Much as Before", Patheos, January 27, 2016
I can well imagine an atheist's last words: "White, white! L-L-Love! My God!" -- and the deathbed leap of faith. Whereas the agnostic, if he stays true to his reasonable self, if he stays beholden to dry, yeastless factuality, might try to explain the warm light bathing him by saying, "Possibly a f-f-failing oxygenation of the b-b-brain," and, to the very end, lack imagination and miss the better story.
YANN MARTEL
Life of Pi
Some are raised in atheism by atheist parents. Some come to atheism after years of religious study. I came to atheism the way that many Christians come to Christianity -- through faith. I was six years old, sitting in my frilly yellow Easter dress, throwing black jelly beans out into the yard, when my mom explained the story of Easter to me. She explained Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection as the son of God, going into great detail. And when she was finished telling me the story that had been a foundation of her faith for the majority of her life, I looked at her and said: "I don't think that really happened." I didn't come to this conclusion because the story of a man waking from the dead made no sense -- I wasn't an overly analytical child. I still enthusiastically believed in Santa Claus and the Easter bunny. But when I searched myself for any sense of belief in a higher power, it just wasn't there. I wanted it to be there -- how comforting to have a God. But it wasn't there, and it isn't to this day.
IJEOMA OLUO
"My atheism does not make me superior to believers. It's a leap of faith too", The Guardian, October 24, 2015
How some dare scorn (as if a fabulous lie) that they should rise whom death to dust doth bind -- and like to beasts, a beastly life they lead, who naught attend save death when they are dead.
SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER
Doomes-day; or, The Great Day of the Lords Judgement
He who tries to flee from God takes refuge in himself.
PHILO
Legum allegoriarum
Atheism is not the denial of the existence of God, but having doubts as to whether God is conscious.
SLAVOJ ZIZEK
God in Pain: Inversions of Apocalypse
Theist and Atheist: The fight between them is as to whether God shall be called God or shall have some other name.
SAMUEL BUTLER
The Note-Books of Samuel Butler
After having treated of these false Zealots in Religion, I cannot forbear mentioning ... the Zealots in Atheism. One would fancy that these Men, tho' they fall short, in every other Respect, of those who make a Profession of Religion, would at least outshine them in this Particular, and be exempt from that single Fault which seems to grow out of the impudent Fervours of Religion: But so it is, that Infidelity is propagated with as much Fierceness and Contention, Wrath and Indignation, as if the Safety of Mankind depended upon it.
JOSEPH ADDISON
The Spectator, Oct. 2, 1711
Some are Atheists by Neglect; others are so by Affectation; they, that think there is no God at some times; do not think so at all times.
BENJAMIN WHICHCOTE
Moral and Religious Aphorisms
They that deny a God destroy man's nobility, for certainly man is of kin to the beasts by his body; and if he be not of kin to God by his spirit, he is a base and ignoble creature.
FRANCIS BACON
Essays
I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God.
GEORGE H. W. BUSH
news conference, Aug. 27, 1987
Look through new atheist websites and twitter feeds. You'll see the same hatred and bigotry that theists have been spouting against other theists for millennia. But when confronted about this bigotry, we say "But I feel this way about all religion," as if that somehow makes it better. But our belief that we are right while everyone else is wrong; our belief that our atheism is more moral; our belief that others are lost: none of it is original.
IJEOMA OLUO
"My atheism does not make me superior to believers. It's a leap of faith too", The Guardian, October 24, 2015