Believe Quote by Christopher Hitchens
“There's been some research in cognitive science, I'm told, that discloses that there have always been perhaps 10 to 15 percent of people who are, as Pascal puts it, so made that they cannot believe. To us, when people talk about faith, it's white noise.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Atlantic, “The Unbeliever’s Dilemma”, 2005
The quote suggests a small, consistent minority of people are inherently unable to accept faith, making belief seem meaningless to them.
In simple terms: A few people can’t believe, so faith feels irrelevant.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that belief isn’t universal.
Themes
skepticism
faith
human nature
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
critical
reflective
When to use this quote
- debates on religion
- personal introspection
- educational curricula
- interfaith dialogues
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
psychology of belief
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing this minority affect your view of faith?
- Can we bridge the gap between belief and non‑belief?
A Different Perspective
Not everyone is incapable of faith; cultural and experiential factors also shape belief.
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