--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We know, and it is our pride to know…" description: "\"“We know, and it is our pride to know, that man is by his constitution a religious animal; that atheism is against, not only our reason, but our instin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/263/charles-w-colson-12999_atheism_we-know-and-it-is-our-pride-to-know-that_2380161.jpg" --- # We know, and it is our pride to know, that man is by his… ![“We know, and it is our pride to know, that man is by his constitution a religious animal; that atheism is against, not only our reason, but our instincts; and that it cannot” quote by Charles W. Colson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/263/charles-w-colson-12999_atheism_we-know-and-it-is-our-pride-to-know-that_2380161.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/263/charles-w-colson-12999_atheism_we-know-and-it-is-our-pride-to-know-that_2380161.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/263/charles-w-colson-12999_atheism_we-know-and-it-is-our-pride-to-know-that_2380161.jpg) > ““We know, and it is our pride to know, that man is by his constitution a religious animal; that atheism is against, not only our reason, but our instincts; and that it cannot”” [Charles W. Colson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-w-colson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humans are naturally religious; atheism conflicts with both reason and instinct, making it hard to accept. **In simple terms:** Humans have innate religious tendencies; atheism opposes them. Key Takeaway Respect innate tendencies while encouraging rational discourse. Themes philosophy religion human nature reason Mood thoughtful analytical neutral Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - interfaith dialogue - education curricula - public policy - personal reflection - media narratives Key Concepts instinct belief skepticism identity cognitive bias Questions to Reflect On - Can rational arguments overcome instinctual beliefs? - What role does culture play in religious identity? A Different Perspective Atheism can be embraced intellectually despite instinctual resistance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) ## Related quotes > [Man is by his constitution a religious animal; atheism is against not only our reason, but our instincts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/man-is-by-his-constitution-a-religious-animal-atheism-is-against-not/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [Man is by his constitution a religious animal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/man-is-by-his-constitution-a-religious-animal/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [“Supposing there was no intelligence behind the universe, no creative mind. In that case, nobody designed my brain for the purpose of thinking. 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