Gustave Flaubert Quotes

I'm constantly reading books on God or the absence of God and atheism.

Intellectually, now, I believe that it is a complete vanity to say positively there is no God.

A little philosophy inclineth man's mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion.

Small amounts of philosophy lead to atheism, but larger amounts bring us back to God.

I don't believe in God, though I'm not prepared to call myself an atheist either. You know the old phrase: 'There are no atheists in foxholes.' I've never been in a foxhole, and if I ever find myself in a foxhole, I'll let you know if I believe in God or not.

I'm not sure about anything as far as religion and spirituality go.

I am surprised that anyone can profess to be an atheist.

You seem much too intelligent to believe in God.

I see myself as a spiritual person, but I don't think anyone should claim proof of a god. No one can prove it. That's why I don't claim to know whether there are one, many or no gods.

I consider myself a religious person, but when it comes to God and faith, I don't know. I guess that means I'm agnostic.

That's true that I'm "not religious as that term is conventionally understood," though I've never been an atheist. Atheism is an active faith; it says, "I believe there is no God." But I don't know what I believe. I was brought up a Lutheran in Jamestown, North Dakota. I have trouble with faith. I'm not proud of this. I don't think it makes me an intellectual. I would believe if I could, and I may be able to before it's over. I would welcome that.

If it were proven that there is no God there would be no religion. ...But also if it were proven that there is a God, there would be no religion.

Religion is the belief in future life and in God. I don't believe in either.

Do I believe in God? Can't answer, I'm afraid. I'm not being flippant, but I don't understand the question. What is it that I am supposed to believe or not believe in? Are you asking whether I believe there is something not in the universe (or the universes, if there are (maybe infinitely) many of them), and that somehow stands above them? I've never heard of any reason for believing that.

Atheism is a crutch for those who cannot bear the reality of God.

Me pray? Never! I'm an atheist.

I don't think there is a need for an entity like God in my life.

It strikes me as somewhat odd that the people who use God's name most frequently, both in life and in literature, usually don't believe in him.

I am an atheist, and if an atheist and a pope think the same things, there must be something true. There must be some human truth that is beyond religion.

Go ahead and believe in God , if you like, but don't imagine that you have been given any grounds for such a belief by science.

Experience has repeatedly confirmed that well-known maxim of Bacon's that 'a little philosophy inclineth a man's mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion.' At the same time, when Bacon penned that sage epigram... he forgot to add that the God to whom depth in philosophy brings back men's minds is far from being the same from whom a little philosophy estranges them.

I certainly don’t believe in religion, although I find it fascinating that it’s become so powerful in the world and it’s kind of dictated morals down through societies for thousands of years, but I don’t see the hand of God at work in the world anywhere.

I don’t believe in God as you imagine Him to be, but I believe in many things that you could never even dream of.

Who couldn't believe there's a God?