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Brainstormy

(2,428 posts)
Fri Aug 25, 2017, 11:44 AM Aug 2017

This works for me

Ran across this quote from Asimov, which I love because it eliminates all the pointless word-mincing.

“I am an atheist, out and out. It took me a long time to say it. I've been an atheist for years and years, but somehow I felt it was intellectually unrespectable to say one was an atheist, because it assumed knowledge that one didn't have. Somehow, it was better to say one was a humanist or an agnostic. I finally decided that I'm a creature of emotion as well as of reason. Emotionally, I am an atheist. I don't have the evidence to prove that God doesn't exist, but I so strongly suspect he doesn't that I don't want to waste my time.”
― Isaac Asimov

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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This works for me (Original Post) Brainstormy Aug 2017 OP
We are all born atheists, like racism and misogyny and the rest Eliot Rosewater Aug 2017 #1
If facts be harsh, so be it. There's nothing insulting defacto7 Aug 2017 #2
Me too. defacto7 Aug 2017 #3
I've often thought of myself as an "apathist". Binkie The Clown Aug 2017 #4
According to Wikiquote, Asimov said this in the Spring of 1982. Towlie Aug 2017 #5
"I don't want to waste my time" progressoid Aug 2017 #6
I should be an agnostic HAB911 Aug 2017 #7
Reality oppressedproletarian Aug 2017 #8

Eliot Rosewater

(32,536 posts)
1. We are all born atheists, like racism and misogyny and the rest
Fri Aug 25, 2017, 11:46 AM
Aug 2017

religion is a dysfunction we have to be taught.

Now I know that sounds harsh, and I sincerely do not mean to insult religious people that are also good people, and they do exist. I dont know very many of them but I know they exist.

It is meant to illustrate a reality in such a way as to get thru to some folks.

Maybe.

defacto7

(13,610 posts)
2. If facts be harsh, so be it. There's nothing insulting
Fri Aug 25, 2017, 12:12 PM
Aug 2017

in speaking our mind. Insults are in the hearing. Keep speaking out so reason isn't lost behind the mythical clouds.

Towlie

(5,460 posts)
5. According to Wikiquote, Asimov said this in the Spring of 1982.
Fri Aug 25, 2017, 02:20 PM
Aug 2017

... and the source is Free Inquiry.

https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Isaac_Asimov

Back before the Internet was widely available and we were using modems like the one that Matthew Broderick had in War Games, I participated in an online chat with Isaac Asimov, hosted by America Online. When it was my turn I asked a very simple question: "Do you believe in God?"

He answered "No."

Later a transcript of the entire session was released, but I was disappointed to find that our short exchange was suspiciously garbled and unreadable.

progressoid

(50,748 posts)
6. "I don't want to waste my time"
Fri Aug 25, 2017, 04:33 PM
Aug 2017

Yeah, there is too much other stuff here in the real world to experience. I don't want to waste what's left of my time with that god tediousness.

HAB911

(9,362 posts)
7. I should be an agnostic
Sun Aug 27, 2017, 08:42 AM
Aug 2017

but years ago I felt a decision had to be made, take one path or the other in order to on with my life. I am an atheist.

8. Reality
Tue Aug 29, 2017, 09:44 AM
Aug 2017

and the universe are light-years more stunning, amazing, awe inspiring and heartbreakingly gorgeous than any made up fairy tale could ever be.

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