Four Atheist Quotes That Hit Home.

Here are four quotes from atheist thinkers that speak to me.

Feel free to add your own atheist quotes, and just to be fair and balanced if you religious folks wanna throw in yours that's fine to.


Without further ado, here are my four favorites.

“Question with boldness even the existence of God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear.”
Thomas Jefferson

“I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.”
Stephen Roberts

“I am against religion because it teaches us to be satisfied with not understanding the world.”
Richard Dawkins

“An atheist is a man who has no invisible means of support.”
John Buchan


I look forward to reading what you guys think about these quotes, and which ones you yourself admire.

Mod's: sorry if this is in the wrong forum, feel free to move it.

[edit on 7/12/2009 by Alaskan Man]

Except Thomas Jefferson was not an atheist; though his views did vary widely from orthodox christianity he had described himself a christian, as well as a unitarian on at least one occasion.

Excellent quotes. It's reassuring to see other atheists on this site, because, let's be frank, there are not many of us out there and many who arent willing to admit it. It's such a dirty word where I live, many of my friends who are most defiantly atheists hide behind the veil of agnosticism, because even that is more acceptable. I've got no problem with the spiritual/religious, I just wish I was afforded the same courtesies I give to them.

Originally posted by Histopherness
Except Thomas Jefferson was not an atheist; though his views did vary widely from orthodox christianity he had described himself a christian, as well as a unitarian on at least one occasion.

'


so its safe to say old TJ is all over the place eh?

i once heard another quote i like that apply's to this situation.

"a wise man changes his mind frequently, a fool never."

even if it happens to be attributed to the wrong individual, i still respect the quote.

thanks for the reply.

reply to post by Alaskan Man


I agree it is a great quote. Just pointing out an error. And it is nice to see that not only atheists can question God. Shows that people from all walks of life can have an open questioning mind if they choose.

reply to post by Alaskan Man


I love the Thomas Jefferson quote, and hold it dear to my heart.

One thing I've also always held dear is the idea that a sign of intelligence is to be able to argue any side of any argument without having to dedicate yourself to any of them.

That doesn't mean you DONT dedicate to a side, it's just that you can understand all sides of an argument, and act reasonably and without being blind to it all.

Great quotes, gotta say I agree with them.

The thing is that quoting the founding fathers as Christian/Muslim/Atheist/Pagan/etc... is hard to do. Back in those days, if you weren't part of a church you were an outcast.

From the quotes I've read, it appears they were either open-minded Christians* or deists.



* - I'm not saying all Christians are closed-minded, but some are.

Originally posted by Jomina
reply to post by Alaskan Man

 

One thing I've also always held dear is the idea that a sign of intelligence is to be able to argue any side of any argument without having to dedicate yourself to any of them.

That doesn't mean you DONT dedicate to a side, it's just that you can understand all sides of an argument, and act reasonably and without being blind to it all.

I have to agree with you on that, it truly is a sign of intelligence when one is capable of seeing all views with out dedicating himself to one.

i personally try to see the mindset of whoever i am debating with, not only does it help you make your point, but it helps you understand there's, which is even more important.

A persons ideal's are what makes them who they are, your refusal to acknowledge those ideal's is equal to saying there life holds no value to you.


[edit on 7/12/2009 by Alaskan Man]

reply to post by Alaskan Man


Those quotes are somethig else..lol.. They are very thought provoking and I am a believer. But their really is a lot of truth in them and I really like them. All of them were/are brilliant men. While I disagree with their point of view, I accept and respect what they believe. I just hope others can do the same, I love opposing views, because only through opposing views can the truth be reached.

O yea! S&F

A believers 2 cents

Peace,
~TheMythLives

[edit on Jul 12th 2009 by TheMythLives]

Aldous Huxley "Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."

Carlespie Mary Alice McKinney "Religion does three things quite effectively : Divides people, Controls people, Deludes people. "

unknown "Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day; teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime; give a man religion and he will die praying for a fish "

Seneca the Younger 4 b.c.- 65 a.d. "Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful. "

Robert M. Pirsig "When one person suffers from a delusion, it is called insanity. When many people suffer from a delusion it is called Religion. "

The Simpsons tv show "Prayer has no place in the public schools, just like facts have no place in organized religion."

[edit on 12-7-2009 by Indianapolis]

Originally posted by TheMythLives
reply to post by Alaskan Man

 

Those quotes are somethig else..lol.. They are very thought provoking and I am a believer. But their really is a lot of truth in them and I really like them.

All of them were/are brilliant men. While I disagree with their point of view, I accept and respect what they believe. I just hope others can do the same, I love opposing views, because only through opposing views can the truth be reached.

well i gotta say, you just earned a big heep of my respect, i always admire someone who is capable of believing in something such as Christianity, while still being open minded enough to appreciate something in opposition of there beliefs.

i wish more people had your open minded view.

"He was sweating like an atheist at the pearly gates."

I made that one up myself so I thought I'd share it.

Originally posted by mrwupy
"He was sweating like an atheist at the pearly gates."

I made that one up myself so I thought I'd share it.

ok that was a good one.

Originally posted by Alaskan Man

i personally try to see the mindset of whoever i am debating with, not only does it help you make your point, but it helps you understand there's, which is even more important.

A persons ideal's are what makes them who they are, your refusal to acknowledge those ideal's is equal to saying there life holds no value to you.


[edit on 7/12/2009 by Alaskan Man]

You're right, and that's why I try to do it as well. I have learned so much over the years by trying to see from another persons viewpoints, even if I do not agree with them at all. If nothing else, it's great to keep the argument being so heated that nothing is gained but violence.

Just wish other people in the world could see things that way... We might not see so much religious warfare, even, let alone any other arguments out there

reply to post by TheMythLives


Myth, I so wish everyone could think that way... Imagine how much less trouble we would have in the world.


You're a true man's man, my friend

reply to post by Indianapolis


hey those are some great quotes, thanks for taking the time to contribute the the thread.

I appreciate it

reply to post by Alaskan Man

wish more people had your open minded view

Well thank you, my friend. I too wish that people had an open mind and as much respect as you. I mean we are here on earth now, why waste our lives fighting over crap. Lets just accept it that we are here NOW and lets learn from each other. Everyone one of us has something to give and everyone one of us can be an example of something...even if that example is a bad example, we can all find something to do and be..

I find that I often argue a point of view often just because no one else is. I may not truly believe it, but to ignore it would be a sin to my nature.

"Don't be mad if I seem to ignore your viewpoint, I have already considered it and denounced it as drivel" New quote from me.

reply to post by Jomina


Much thanks I appreciate your kind words and your input as well. I just wish that others were as understanding as other in this thread. And hey, my girlfriend is the same way!..lol.. So their are others like us out in the world. The trouble is finding them in the heep of arguments from believers and skeptics....

Originally posted by TheMythLives
Everyone one of us has something to give and everyone one of us can be an example of something...even if that example is a bad example, we can all find something to do and be..

I'm going to go out on a limb here (not trying to start an argument or anything haha) and say something relating to that, which i have always thought...

Everyone thinks that ol adolph hitler was the most evil thing to exist, and I agree, there was so much bad in that man it's ridiculous. But what I'd also say on top of it is, we can't say what he did was all bad.

Why?

Cause he taught humanity a lesson. Never let anyone like him rise to power and allow such destruction as he caused in his time of power.

Not negating his evil, but trying to see the balanced positive in the situation... His was an evil we have learned to never allow again.