Admission Quote by George H. Smith
“When the atheist is told that God is unknowable, he may interpret this claim in one of two ways. He may suppose, first, that the theist has acquired knowledge of a being that, by his own admission, cannot possibly be known; or, second, he may assume that the theist simply does not know what he is talking about.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Atheist Manifesto by George H. Smith, 1995
The statement that God is unknowable can be read either as a claim of paradoxical knowledge or as an admission of ignorance.
In simple terms: Two ways to read the claim about God’s unknowability.
Key Takeaway
Consider both interpretations before judging.
Themes
philosophy
theology
epistemology
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- debates on religion
- academic discussions
- personal belief crises
Key Concepts
paradox
knowledge limits
faith
skepticism
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you think unknowability implies mystery or ignorance?
- How does this affect dialogue between believers and non‑believers?
A Different Perspective
It may oversimplify complex theological arguments.
![“The negative way [of describing God] is a cardboard prop of Christianity to conceal its unknowable God. When this prop collapses, theistic agnosticism emerges, complete with its package of contradictions and non-sensical utterances.” quote by George H. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/86f/george-h-smith-20207_agnosticism_the-negative-way-of-describing-god-is-a_433133.jpg)
