Argument Quote by Charles Darwin
“The assumed instinctive belief in God has been used by many persons as an argument for his existence. But this is a rash argument, as we should thus be compelled to believe in the existence of many cruel and malignant spirits, only a little more powerful than man; for the belief in them is far more general than in a beneficent deity.”
About This Quote
Argues that belief in a benevolent deity is weak, suggesting belief in many malevolent spirits is more plausible given human experience.
In simple terms: Belief in a kind God is questionable.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about divine nature.
Themes
religion
belief
skepticism
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
skeptical
When to use this quote
- debate
- personal belief
Key Concepts
theology
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence supports your view?
- How do cultural contexts shape belief?
A Different Perspective
May oversimplify complex theology.
![“I remember clearly that when I was little it was explained to me [that] the way that babies were made was that God put the baby into some lady's stomach, right? And, at some point, I learned how it really happened, and really that was the beginning of the end of my belief in God. Up until that…” quote by Ira Glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/56a/ira-glass-2464_baby_i-remember-clearly-that-when-i-was-littl_234840.jpg)
![“I am quite conscious that my speculations run beyond the bounds of true science…It is a mere rag of an hypothesis with as many flaw[s] & holes as sound parts.” quote by Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/958/charles-darwin-507_bounds_i-am-quite-conscious-that-my-speculation_35382.jpg)
