Robert Johnson, publisher of Old Nick Magazine & author of “The Satanic Warlock”
In celebration of Religious Freedom Day let all free thinkers reflect on these quotes from defenders of sane thought who believe that “religious freedom” also includes NOT believing in religion — Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchins:
Dawkins:
“We are all atheists about most of the gods that societies have ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further.”
“By all means let’s be open-minded, but not so open-minded that our brains drop out.”
“Let children learn about different faiths, let them notice their incompatibility, and let them draw their own conclusions about the consequences of that incompatibility. As for whether they are ‘valid,’ let them make up their own minds when they are old enough to do so.”
“One of the things that is wrong with religion is that it teaches us to be satisfied with answers which are not really answers at all.”
“Science is the poetry of reality.”
Hitchins:
“We keep on being told that religion, whatever its imperfections, at least instills morality. On every side, there is conclusive evidence that the contrary is the case and that faith causes people to be more mean, more selfish, and perhaps above all, more stupid.”
“To terrify children with the image of hell, to consider women an inferior creation—is that good for the world?”
“Beware the irrational, however seductive. Shun the ‘transcendent’ and all who invite you to subordinate or annihilate yourself. Distrust compassion; prefer dignity for yourself and others. Don’t be afraid to be thought arrogant or selfish. Picture all experts as if they were mammals. Never be a spectator of unfairness or stupidity. Seek out argument and disputation for their own sake; the grave will supply plenty of time for silence. Suspect your own motives, and all excuses. Do not live for others any more than you would expect others to live for you.”
“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
“Our belief is not a belief. Our principles are not a faith. We do not rely solely upon science and reason, because these are necessary rather than sufficient factors, but we distrust anything that contradicts science or outrages reason. We may differ on many things, but what we respect is free inquiry, open-mindedness, and the pursuit of ideas for their own sake.”