Great Atheistic Quotes

[Didymos Thomas]

Yes, Jefferson is a personal hero.

As for Einstein, I've always wondered just how religious he was. Thank you for the additional, and insightful quotes!

[Holiday20310401]

Originally Posted by Nitish

"Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, & the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people." -Karl Marx

Religion is comparable to a childhood neurosis -Sigmund Freud

Religion is excellent stuff for keeping common people quiet. -Napoleon Bonaparte

I'm not an atheist because I believe in god, just not any that are presented in any religions that are in existence. I am against religions.
I thought that being an atheist was implying that god did not exist. It is irrational to see god as nonexistent, but rational to assume it has no experience.
Those quotes that were presented denounced religion a lot, but that doesn't mean atheism. God, based on how humanity has pathetically contrived religions, should probably be separate from religions for the time being.

[Holiday20310401]

Also, Einstein said that God is 'childish', he should have been more specific. Physically, yes of course. Fundamentally, God makes us sane, should be a part of who we are. That is why I am not an atheist. He exists, he has potential, and I pity those atheists who call themselves atheists for that very reason.

[boagie]

Originally Posted by Holiday20310401

Also, Einstein said that God is 'childish', he should have been more specific. Physically, yes of course. Fundamentally, God makes us sane, should be a part of who we are. That is why I am not an atheist. He exists, he has potential, and I pity those atheists who call themselves atheists for that very reason.

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Holiday,

I think Einstein meant humanity should strive to mature intellectually and emotionally. Just as when you matured you accepted at some point, the non-existence of Santa Claus. With a growing maturity one should come to accept that there is no god. Certainly not the commonly expressed notion of a personal god who watches over all human interactions. PS: Einstein was an atheist, he was very very clear on that.

[Didymos Thomas]

PS: Einstein was an atheist, he was very very clear on that.

I'm no Einstein expert, but from what I recall he was Jewish.

'God does not play dice' I believe, was one of his famous sayings. Of course, I do not know the context, so the claim may not have anything to do with religion per se.

[Holiday20310401]

I think you are right, God is like santa, at one point you become mature and independent from it.
But then why do so many people believe in god?

[boagie]

Originally Posted by Didymos Thomas

I'm no Einstein expert, but from what I recall he was Jewish.

'God does not play dice' I believe, was one of his famous sayings. Of course, I do not know the context, so the claim may not have anything to do with religion per se.

Thomas,

He was indeed Jewish. God does not play dice with the universe was his response to a suggestion that the universe was not understandable, it was used as a metaphor, one he grew to regret. The religious often take what he has said out of context to support their dogma. There is a name for this practise but it does not come to mind at present.

[boagie]

Originally Posted by Holiday20310401

I think you are right, God is like santa, at one point you become mature and independent from it.
But then why do so many people believe in god?

Holiday

Well if you ask alot of believers that question they really do not seem to know, others often say the bible tells me so. Personally I think it is a matter of security, non-belief is a state of insecurity, but it is also a state of wonder, something the believer shuts the door to.

[Holiday20310401]

Yeah but doesn't it seem more secure to know the truth? Or is there some ease by having a transcendent faith, a faith with the purpose of not knowing the answer?

[boagie]

Originally Posted by Holiday20310401

Yeah but doesn't it seem more secure to know the truth? Or is there some ease by having a transcendent faith, a faith with the purpose of not knowing the answer?

Holiday,

Well, to some believers it does seem to give them peace of mind. Some believers on the flip side are fearful of any new unfolding knowledge. The thinking I guess is it might be something as damaging to their belief as Darwins, "The Origins Species".