The best atheist quotes to challenge the religious mind.

I have listed Below around 30 of my favorite famous quotes that i hope will help sober up the religious mind towards atheism, probably wishful thinking though.

"The predisposition to religious belief is an ineradicable part of human behavior. Mankind has produced 100,000 religions. It is an illusion to think that scientific humanism and learning will dispel religious belief. Men would rather believe than know..." E.O Wilson

"If there is a God, atheism must seem to Him as less of an insult than religion." Edmond de Goncourt

"people don't like the true and simple; they like fairy tales and hum bug." Edmond de Goncourt

"All personal gods are idolatrous... The great service to humanity of science has been to sweep the anthropomorphic gods away, or, at the very least, to show them for what they are, phantoms of the human brain." W.V.O. Quine

"Religion is a system of instruction by precepts, which have like all moral rules, an exterior sanction remote from reality and daily life; it does not fortify the character, but on the contrary, enfeebles it." Lombroso

"If we are honest-and scientists have to be-we must admit that religion is a jumble of false assertions, with no basis in reality. The very idea of God is a product of the human imagination. It is quite understandable why primitive people, who were so much more exposed to the overpowering forces of nature than we are today, should have personified these forces in fear and trembling. But nowadays, when we understand so many natural processes, we have no need for such solutions. I can't for the life of me see how the postulate of an Almighty God helps us in any way. " Paul Dirac

"What i am saying is, if God wanted to send us a message, and ancient writings were the only way he could think of doing it, he could have done a better job." Carl Sagan

"M-theory doesn't disprove God, but it makes him unnecessary." Stephen Hawkins

"Faith cannot move mountains. But it is capable of driving people to such dangerous folly that faith seems to qualify as some kind of mental illness." Richard Dawkins

"There is in every village a torch- the teacher: and an extinguisher the clergyman." Victor Hugo

"Religion? Haven't we outgrown all of this." Steven Weinberg

"I think for many people religion is some sort of moral Viagra." Daniel Dennett

"God is not necessary for morality." Shelly Kagan

"It is natural to think that living things must be the work of a designer. But it was also natural to think the sun went around the earth. Overcoming naive impressions to figure out how things really work, is one of humanity's highest callings." Steven Pinker

"Your welcome to your delusions, but don't say they are supported by science." Victor Stenger

"The religion of one age is the literary entertainment of the next" Emerson

"God was invented to explain mystery." Richard Feynman

"I don't try to imagine a personal god; it suffices to stand in awe at the structure of the world, insofar as it allows our inadequate senses to appreciate it." Einstein

"Religion consists in a set of things which the average man thinks he believes and wishes he was certain of." Samuel Clemens

"A man is accepted into a church for what he believes and he is turned out for what he knows." Samuel Clemens

"It is not as in the Bible, that god created man in his own image. But on the contrary man created god in his image." Ludwig Feurbach

"Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe there are fairy's at the bottom of it too" Douglas Adams

"Religion is like a virus that affects the behavior of it's host in such a way to propagate itself further." Jack Pritchard

"To really be free, you need to be free in the mind." Alexander Loutsis

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

"The inspiration of the Bible depends on the ignorance of the person who reads it." Robert G.ingersoll

"...When you understand why you dismiss all other possible gods, you will understand why i dismiss yours." Stephen Roberts

"I have recently been examining all the known superstitions of the world, and do not find in our particular superstition (Christianity) one redeeming feature. They are all alike founded on fables and mythology." Thomas Jefferson

"I can indeed hardly see how anyone ought to wish Christianity to be true for if so the plain language of the text seems to show that the men who do not believe, and this would include my father, brother and almost all of my friends, will be everlastingly punished. And this is a damnable doctrine." Charles Darwin

Feel free to add more quotes or discuss the above :D

Much obliged!

It seems the atheists have taken a leaf out of the Theists book and started quoting others to defend themselves. What next? A "bible" for Atheists? A quote is not a proof. One can quote anyone on any subject. That does not mean the argument quoted is logical, valid, coherent or truthful.

You're at it again Legion,will you ever stop turning one against the other..

Neph: Reading through other threads there seems to be trend in changing ones tag. Perhaps I should change my to "Legion". I quite like that tag. =)

"Woe to you, O Earth and Sea,
For the Devil sends Spin with wrath
because He knows the connectivity is short.
Let him who hath understanding and Broadband
Reckon the number of Spin;
For it is a human number:
His number is 0705****
E-Mail: ******.live.co.uk.
Twitter: (Your guess is as good as mine. I may be Evil, but I am not stupid....)
(You may be transferred to a call centre, but we have trained our foreign staff to the highest requirements of the English language, innit).

=)

Spin,
I never stated a quote is a proof, as for these particular quotes you only have to look up the names/quotes provided to draw a conclusion on how logical, valid, coherent or truthful they may be. That is what i am asking of the religious people of this site.
I have started this topic to defend myself you say, in what respect? I think i made it quite clear why i started this topic.

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J; first, I did not claim that you stated a quote to be a proof. I was simply expressing a contribution to the debate (you did request more quotes OR discussion, did you not?) Secondly, the title of your thread ("The Best Atheist quotes to challenge the Religious Mind") does not lend itself to the impression that you are requesting "religious" responses, except of course if you intend to create conflict. Its up to you as to whether you are "clear" in your intentions or not. Ciao.

Thanks J Cardey

I am sure these anti religion quotes have changed the minds of all the believers on this site.
So, that's that! Last one to leave put the light out.

Spin,
Ok in that case thanks for stating the obvious by telling us a quote is not a proof. Not sure how it adds to the discussion though as i never claimed otherwise. And how would you suggest you approach religious people in regards to the authenticity of there ancient fairy tales. There is no easy way of approaching it if my target audience don't want to know a little bit more about our reality.
Like i have stated, i started this topic on wishful thinking. I guess those with religious convictions generally don't want there beliefs challenged.

DB keep your witless sarcasm to yourself.

J: In case you forgot, this is a "RELIGION" forum. Post anything about religion on this forum and you attract the attention of both believers and non-believers. As for your "discussion" can you tell me how quoting 30 atheists constitutes a "discussion"? That is why I posted the comment that quotes, be they religious or secular, do not consitute proof (proof being concerned with argument). I can quote numerous people on the subjects of fascism, reality shows and wine; would you consider that a "discussion"? And, to conclude, it is not the religious who do not want their beliefs challenged; it is the atheists. As is obvious from every "atheist" post on this forum. (And no, I am not a theist. I am simply a person who defends against bias and prejudice, regardless of its source, be it empiricism or religion).

Witless?
You're the one who wants to 'sober up the religious mind towards atheism' with a load of daft quotes.
Thanks for the laugh though

Yes DB witless. Sorry did you consider it witty.
It's a shame you consider these quotes from some of the most Iconic figures in recent history "daft". That is quite a revealing statement concerning your intellect.
I can understand a few of the quotes being bothersome, to one dedicated to a religion, but not all.

Spin,
I am full aware this forum will attract both believers and non-believers, both are welcome to this topic whats your point. You make it sound like they are 30 random atheist's. They are famous quotes written by true intellects, with nearly every quote adding a new direction in which religion is flawed, take your pic on which one you would like to DISCUSS on this DISCUSSION.
That is a ridiculous thing to say, atheists won't change there *belief* give me a shred of true evidence for a god and i am all for it. Any scientific field show me evidence that shines a light on a new theory i'm all for it. My beliefs are subject to change, always. The same can not be said for religious folk.
Are you saying religion is not a open topic for scrutiny?

J: You are mistaken. You view religion in the manner either your experiences or your society has taught you. You admit that your beliefs are subject to change yet you believe that religious thought is NOT subject to change. You thus display the same lack of understanding you accuse the religious folk of displaying. To me, I see no difference between the opinions of the atheists and the opinions of the theists on this forum; both are so ignorant of the other it is no surprise that all we get is conflict rather than answers.

Spin,
Please do not presume to know how i view religion.
It not some much religious thought as religious scripture that is not subject to change, thus narrowing there perspective of reality. You can pick nearly any one religion and beliefs vary greatly within that religion, due to the contradictive content of scriptures, thus rendering them to the point of uselessness. A Christian for example has to use there own sense of morality to pick the nice bits out of the bible simply ignoring the bad bits, unless you focus on the bad bits as some do.

I fail to see how i am being ignorant to the religious, i'm not sure what opinion would satisfy you.
How do you suggest we get answers between two opposite beliefs, without debate?

J; Dude, you asked the question and requested discussion, ok? You, not I, set up a thread demanding opposition. If you want to quote atheists, by all means go ahead; but please be sure you know what it is they are referring to. You have set up a thread demanding argument for or against theism, but you are currently arguing against me, not my argument. The advantage Theists have over atheists is that they have something to fall back on to support their beliefs; athists have nothing but their own belief to fall back on. And even those who attempt to use science as a back-up have no idea what science is or what its conclusions entail. Atheism is as blind and ignorant as theism. Crazy in an "enlightened" world dictating freedom and knowledge to others.... Atheism believes in freedom and equality as long as it agrees with you...Argue with an atheist and you can forget debate about freedom of speech and conscience...Atheists are correct. Why? Because they say so...

Spin,
i don't know which question you are referring to. So can't really answer if it's OK. Yes i set up this thread whats your point. Yes i have quoted many atheists i did "go ahead" and i am fully aware of what each individual is referring to.
I have set up a thread i wouldn't say demanding but with the open invitation of discussion against theism. You say i am currently arguing against you not your argument.
I'm sorry if i haven't covered any points you've made, i am simply reading though your comments, answering you as i go i didn't realize i missed anything.
How do you deem it an advantage to theism if what they are falling back on to support there belief is false?
Science is the study of everything, every theory has to undergo the utmost scrutiny before it has any weight in the scientific community.
What better means of finding the great truths of reality do you suggest? Our imagination as religion has used solely? Though we don't yet have all the answers give it time, science has only bin so freely practiced world wide for such a short period of time.
I use science to paint a picture in my imagination of the reality we live in, i fail to see how this is blind and ignorant as you say.
"Atheism believes in freedom and equality as long as it agrees with you" Rubbish i believe people should be able to believe what they want, doesn't mean an organized belief can't be questioned. And atheism is a belief there is no plural.

J; Don't worry. I am an argumentative bugger! =0 I consider a "discussion" site to be worthy of discussion, not trivial knee-jerk reactions based on ones disappointement at the results of the X- brothers- dancing in the jungle-factor or East Emmerdale street. Joining a discussion site generally means that one wants to discuss issues. Unfortunately, the anonymity of these sites provides the opportunity for the vworst in human nature to be expressed. Not one argument on these threads on this forum has anything to do with the serious discussion of religion vs science. Not one argument or post attempts to convince by logic and argument. It is simply a matter of "I am right, you are wrong". And the atheists on these threads are the most guilty of that fault. even as an opponent to organised religion, I find myself disgusted at the comments ans lack of understanding displayed by those who claim to be "atheists" but are in fact anti-religious. But c'est la Guerre, eh/

Spin,
I do appreciate the argument lol, i apologize if my tone suggested otherwise. I find the perspective of others enlightening. But i have to be up early so i will respond properly tomorrow. :D

Thanks J

Its a little entertaining that you happened to pick an assortment, none of which contained a single bit of evidence.

But how could you?

Odd too that you quote Dawkins more than once, a world-famous dummy.

Is there any actual evidence to support a single assertion made here?

I think it might be a little fun to go through some of these , especially from the ones you think had something to say.

Which remarks are your favourite three?

They are all blind assertions after all. Which ones have a compelling argument behind them? I spent a full year on the issue in a pretty good university examining thinkers who were for the most part more associated with intellectual prowess than those one your list, and didn't find much of much interest.

Cardey

If quoting the simplistic faith statements of some of the known ingorami on the planet is supposed to be 'sobering' to quote you, what on earth do you imagine to be inebriating.

It seems so far that you are fitting my poster boy presentation of the ugly dawklings. It is apparent that you also could not even recognize the howler in Dawkind TGD, showing him to be a total ignoramus.

I knew this going into his book, but it is a little shocking that his dupes can't even see the colossal mistake he makes.

But .. then you wouldn't be a dawklikng now would you. Dawklings remind me of the ponzi scheme victims when after they've written out the big cheque while the greed has totally posessed them.

And how utterly tasteless after a contentless post like yours to accuse Diane of 'witless sarcasm'. Have you no sense of irony whatever?

I'm beginning not to like you one bit.

Do you have anything redeeming to say for yourself?

Good post, Spin

I suspect he's some high school graduate who has managed to avoid serious discourse most of his life. Godwilling he will indeed find the experience sobering. :-) Not that he has a choice for apparently he's a big fan of E.O. Wilson. Wilson denies human free will. If he's right or wrhong, of course he had no choice but to say it. Wilson had no choice in coming up with his sociobiological theories either. Cardly had no choice but to do as the mindless quantum force masters directed him to do. We have no choice but to laugh at it as a fundamentally incoherent notion.

I wonder if he agrees with Dawkins' 'meme' theory or with Dennett's hysterical attribution of philosophical acuity to Dawkins?

High farce!

And the twit has the temerity to so rudely address Diane, who has more intelligence and good taste in an occasional quote, than some of the boors whose naive utterances he fauns over have in their libraries. (Oops...That's a place to keep book collections, Cardley)

Hi DB,

Please speak for yourself, I know that I no longer believe in god because of the quotes :D

take care light