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I’ve begun worshipping the sun for a number of reasons. First of all, unlike some other gods I could mention, I can see the sun. It’s there for me every day. And the things it brings me are quite apparent all the time: heat, light, food, and a lovely day. There’s no mystery; no-one asks for money; I don’t have to dress up, and there’s no boring pageantry. And interestingly enough, I have found that the prayers I offer to the sun and the prayers I formerly offered to ‘God’ are all answered at about the same 50% rate. George Carlin, Brain Droppings
It sounds like a fairy-tale, but not only that; this story of what man by his science and practical inventions has achieved on this earth, where he first appeared as a weakly member of the animal kingdom, and on which each individual of his species must ever again appear as a helpless infant ... is a direct fulfilment of all, or of most, of the dearest wishes in his fairy-tales. All these possessions he has acquired through culture. Long ago he formed an ideal conception of omnipotence and omniscience which he embodied in his gods. Whatever seemed unattainable to his desires – or forbidden to him – he attributed to these gods. One may say, therefore, that these gods were the ideals of his culture. Now he has himself approached very near to realizing this ideal, he has nearly become a god himself. But only, it is true, in the way that ideals are usually realized in the general experience of humanity. Not completely; in some respects not at all, in others only by halves. Man has become a god by means of artificial limbs, so to speak, quite magnificent when equipped with all his accessory organs; but they do not grow on him and they still give him trouble at times ... Future ages will produce further great advances in this realm of culture, probably inconceivable now, and will increase man’s likeness to a god still more. Sigmund Freud, Civilization and Its Discontents
Do the gods exist or do they not? Cicero
Fear is the mother of all gods. Nature does all things spontaneously by herself without their meddling. Lucretius
But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg. Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia, 1782
I believe unlike some of my scientific colleagues that the question of the existence of God or gods – supernatural beings – is a scientific question. Whereas other scientists will say it’s nothing to do with science; science and religion occupy two quite separate majesteria and don’t overlap. I think they do overlap. Richard Dawkins v Alister McGrath, debate Oxford Literary Festival 2007
What happens as we move on and leave religion behind? What will guide and inspire us in a world free from all gods? How can an atheist find meaning in life? Dawkins, Sex, Death and The Meaning of Life I: Sin, Channel 4 2012
It would be very surprising if this is the only planet in the entire universe where there’s life. And I think it would also be surprising if this is the only planet in the universe where there is intelligent life ... There could well be alien beings elsewhere in the universe that are so far ahead of us we would treat them as gods. Richard Dawkins, Minnesota Radio 2008
It is not clear why the change from poletheism to monotheism should be assumed to be a self-evidently progressive improvement. Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion p32
God’s monumental rage whenever his chosen people flirted with a rival god resembles nothing so much as sexual jealousy of the worst kind. ibid. p243
The tragi-farce of God’s maniacal jealousy against alternative gods recurs continually throughout the Old Testament. ibid. p246
Imaginary gods – have the time and patience to devote all their attention to the sufferer. And they are much cheaper than psychiatrists or professional counsellors. ibid. p350
We are all atheists about most of the gods that societies have ever believed in; some of us just go one god further. Richard Dawkins: Root of All Evil? The God Delusion, Channel 4 2006
I should emphasize this, to keep well-meaning but misguided multiculturalists at bay: the theoretical entities in which these tribal people frankly believe – the gods and other spirits – don’t exist. These people are mistaken, and you know it as well as I do. It is possible for highly intelligent people to have a very useful but mistaken theory, and we don’t have to pretend otherwise in order to show respect for these people and their ways. Daniel C Dennett, Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon
The mystery is that religion is but a tool to control the masses. Knowledge (or wisdom) is their only god, through which man himself will become god. The snake and the dragon are both symbols of wisdom. Lucifer is a personification of the symbol. It was Lucifer who tempted Eve to entice Adam to eat of the tree of knowledge and thus free man from the bonds of ignorance. The WORSHIP (a lot different from STUDY) of knowledge, science, or technology is Satanism in its purest form; its secret symbol is the all-seeing eye in the pyramid. Bill Cooper, Secret Societies/New World Order
I cannot believe that there is any being in this universe who has created a human soul for eternal pain. I would rather that every god would destroy himself; I would rather that we all should go to eternal chaos, to black and starless night, than that just one soul should suffer eternal agony. Robert Ingersoll, What Must We Do to Be Saved? section X The Evangelical Alliance, 1880
It is contended by many that ours is a Christian government, founded upon the Bible, and that all who look upon the book as false or foolish are destroying the foundation of our country. The truth is, our government is not founded upon the rights of gods, but upon the rights of men. Our Constitution was framed, not to declare and uphold the deity of Christ, but the sacredness of humanity. Ours is the first government made by the people and for the people. It is the only nation with which the gods have had nothing to do. And yet there are some judges dishonest and cowardly enough to solemnly decide that this is a Christian country, and that our free institutions are based upon the infamous laws of Jehovah. Robert G Ingersoll
According to the Bible Abraham was the first person to believe in one God. Historically speaking, mankind has preferred to believe in many gods. But for three billion people in the world today – Jews, Christians and Muslims alike – monotheism, the belief in one God, is the cornerstone of their faith. And Abraham is the spiritual father they all have in common. Professor Robert Winston, The Story of God, BBC 2005
It seems to me that all monotheistic religions have their dark side. When you think about all the terrible things that have been done in his name you might well wonder whether one God is one God too many. ibid.
In the Old Testament we have several texts which speak about a divine council. Professor Dr Herbert Niehr, University of Tugingen
A grudging and irregular worshipper of the gods. Horace, Odes