Gods are fragile things; they may be killed by a whiff of science or a dose of common sense.

Gods are fragile things; they may be killed by a whiff of science or a dose of common sense.

The world is dying for want, not of good preaching, but of good hearing.

The world is dying for want, not of good preaching, but of good hearing.

As a first approximation, I define "belief" not as the object of believing (a dogma, a program, etc.) but as read more

As a first approximation, I define "belief" not as the object of believing (a dogma, a program, etc.) but as the subject's investment in a proposition, the act of saying it and considering it as true.

With most people unbelief in one thing is founded upon blind belief in another.

With most people unbelief in one thing is founded upon blind belief in another.

You can change your faith without changing gods, and vice versa.

You can change your faith without changing gods, and vice versa.

Religion is the sum of the expansive impulses of a being.

Religion is the sum of the expansive impulses of a being.

I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store read more

I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph.

I believe God is managing affairs and that He doesn't need any advice from me. With God in charge, I read more

I believe God is managing affairs and that He doesn't need any advice from me. With God in charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about.

When we debunk a fanatical faith or prejudice, we do not strike at the root of fanaticism. We merely prevent read more

When we debunk a fanatical faith or prejudice, we do not strike at the root of fanaticism. We merely prevent its leaking out at a certain point, with the likely result that it will leak out at some other point. Thus by denigrating prevailing beliefs and loyalties, the militant man of words unwittingly creates in the disillusioned masses a hunger for faith. For the majority of people cannot endure the barrenness and futility of their lives unless they have some ardent dedication, or some passionate pursuit in which they can lose themselves. Thus, in spite of himself, the scoffing man of words becomes the precursor of a new faith.