I’m an atheist and I thank God for it.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
Forth from his dark and lonely hiding-place, (Portentous sight!) the owlet Atheism, sailing on obscene wings athwart the noon, drops his blue-fringed lids, and holds them close, and hooting at the glorious sun in Heaven, cries out, “Where is it?”
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) English Poet, Literary Critic, Philosopher
After coming into contact with a religious man I always feel I must wash my hands.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
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 (1924–2018) American Republican Statesman, 41st President
My atheism, like that of Spinoza, is true piety towards the universe and denies only gods fashioned by men in their own image to be servants of their human interests.
—George Santayana (1863–1952) Spanish-American Poet, Philosopher
The three great apostles of practical atheism that make converts without persecuting, and retain them without preaching, are health, wealth, and power.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
How to trap an atheist: Serve him a fine meal, then ask him if he believes there is a cook.
—Unknown
This sacred shade and solitude, what is it?—It is the felt presence of the Deity.—Few are the faults we flatter when alone; vice sinks in her allurements, in ungilt, and looks, like other objects, black by night.—By night an atheist half believes a God.
—Edward Young (1683–1765) English Poet
Atheism is the death of hope, the suicide of the soul.
—Hugh Miller (1802–56) Scottish Geologist, Writer
Religion is an insult to human dignity. With or without it you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion.
—Steven Weinberg (1933–2021) American Physicist
When ever a person talks loudly against religion, always suspect that it is not their reason, but their passions, which have got the better of their beliefs. A bad life and a good belief are disagreeable and troublesome neighbors; and when they separate, depend on it that it is for the sake of peace and quiet.
—Laurence Sterne (1713–68) Irish Anglican Novelist, Clergyman
There is no such thing as a man being too proud to fight; there is such a thing as a nation being so right that it does not need to convince others by force that it is right.
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) American Head of State
An atheist is a man who has no invisible means of support.
—John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir (1875–1940) Scottish Novelist, Politician, Diplomat
Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
—George Carlin (1937–2008) American Stand-up Comedian
A little philosophy inclineth men’s minds to atheism; but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s minds to religion; for while the mind of man looketh upon second causes scattered, it may sometimes rest in them, and go no further.—But when it beholdeth the chain of them, confederate and linked together, it must needs fly to Providence and Deity.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
I cannot believe in a God who wants to be praised all the time.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
God never wrought miracles to convince atheism, because His ordinary works convince it.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
Atheism is rather in the life than in the heart of man.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
An atheist may be simply one whose faith and love are concentrated on the impersonal aspects of God.
—Simone Weil (1909–1943) French Philosopher, Political Activist
I believe in God, only I spell it Nature.
—Frank Lloyd Wright (1867–1959) American Architect
An atheist is a person who has no visible means of support
—Unknown
The subtlety of nature is greater many times over than the subtlety of the senses and understanding.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
I’m completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death.
—George Carlin (1937–2008) American Stand-up Comedian
Irreligion. The principal one of the great faiths of the world.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
The atheist is one of the most daring beings in creation—a contemner of God who explodes his laws by denying his existence.
—John Foster Dulles (1888–1959) American Republican Public Official, Lawyer
Here we are, we’re alone in the universe, there’s no God, it just seems that it all began by something as simple as sunlight striking on a piece of rock. And here we are. We’ve only got ourselves. Somehow, we’ve just got to make a go of it. We’ve only ourselves.
—John Osborne (1929–94) English Playwright, Actor
He was an embittered atheist (the sort of atheist who does not so much disbelieve in God as personally dislike Him).
—George Orwell (1903–50) English Novelist, Journalist
Virtue in distress, and vice in triumph, make atheists of mankind.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
The footprint of the savage in the sand is sufficient to prove the presence of man to the atheist who will not recognize God though his hand is impressed on the entire universe.
—Hugh Miller (1802–56) Scottish Geologist, Writer
Two hands working can do more than a thousand clasped in prayer.
—Anonymous