--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't really bill myself as an atheist…" description: "\"I don't really bill myself as an atheist, even though there is a lot of atheism in naturalism. I would rather bill myself as a naturalist. I think it i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07a/greg-graffin-4107_atheism_i-don-t-really-bill-myself-as-an-atheist_2148934.png" --- # I don't really bill myself as an atheist, even though… ![“I don't really bill myself as an atheist, even though there is a lot of atheism in naturalism. I would rather bill myself as a naturalist. I think it is a lot more interesting to make claims about nature and what we know of natural science than having an empty and boring dead-end discussion as to…” quote by Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07a/greg-graffin-4107_atheism_i-don-t-really-bill-myself-as-an-atheist_2148934.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07a/greg-graffin-4107_atheism_i-don-t-really-bill-myself-as-an-atheist_2148934.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07a/greg-graffin-4107_atheism_i-don-t-really-bill-myself-as-an-atheist_2148934.png) > “I don't really bill myself as an atheist, even though there is a lot of atheism in naturalism. I would rather bill myself as a naturalist. I think it is a lot more interesting to make claims about nature and what we know of natural science than having an empty and boring dead-end discussion as to who started it all.” [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He prefers identifying as a naturalist, focusing on scientific understanding rather than debating the existence of deities. **In simple terms:** He chooses naturalism over atheism to discuss nature. Key Takeaway Embrace scientific inquiry over metaphysical debate. Themes science philosophy identity belief skepticism Mood thoughtful analytical curious Type philosophical reflective informative When to use this quote - academic lectures - public debates - personal worldview formation - science communication Key Concepts naturalism empiricism ontology Questions to Reflect On - How does naturalism shape your view of meaning? - Can scientific explanations satisfy existential questions? A Different Perspective May limit engagement with non‑scientific audiences seeking spiritual meaning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Natural science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural-science/) [Naturalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/naturalism/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) ## Related quotes > [Now, as when I made films that were too autobiographical, the problem is how to escape naturalism. 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To say that reason came into being for no reason is unreasonable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rice-broocks/atheism-and-naturalism-can-t-account-for-reason-to-say-that-reason/) Rice Broocks > [In our greatest universities, naturalism - the doctrine that nature is all there is - is the virtually unquestioned assumption that underlies not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-johnson/in-our-greatest-universities-naturalism-the-doctrine-that-nature-is/) [Philip Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-johnson/) > [“Ahistorical commentators who too readily dismiss Nietzsche's interest in physiological questions (e.g., DeMan 1979: 119; Nehamas 1985: 120) miss the centrality of such ways…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-leiter/ahistorical-commentators-who-too-readily-dismiss-nietzsche-s-interest/) Brian Leiter > [“The deep study of nature is the most fruitful source of mathematical discoveries. By offering to research a definite end, this study has the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-deep-study-of-nature-is-the-most-fruitful-source-of-mathematical/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm saying that there were many great naturalists before Darwin's time who were very pious people and who knew more about nature than most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-m-saying-that-there-were-many-great-naturalists-before-darwin-s/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [I don't bill myself as an atheist but as a naturalist. Naturalism is a belief system. A lot of scientists bristle at that. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-don-t-bill-myself-as-an-atheist-but-as-a-naturalist-naturalism-is-a/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [Naturalism teaches one of the most important things in this world. There is only this life, so live wonderfully and meaningfully.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/naturalism-teaches-one-of-the-most-important-things-in-this-world/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [An important tradition within westren philosophy believes in the primacy of natural science as a guide to truth. This is sometimes met with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-j-c-smart/an-important-tradition-within-westren-philosophy-believes-in-the/) J. J. C. Smart > [If you believe in evolution and naturalism then you have a reason not to think your faculties are reliable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-plantinga/if-you-believe-in-evolution-and-naturalism-then-you-have-a-reason-not/) [Alvin Plantinga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-plantinga/) > [“What makes today’s popular atheism so depressing is neither its conceptual boorishness nor its self-righteousness but simply its cultural inevitability. 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Bury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-b-bury/) > [If you ask ... the man in the street ... the human significance of mathematics, the answer of the world will be, that mathematics…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassius-jackson-keyser/if-you-ask-the-man-in-the-street-the-human-significance-of/) [Cassius Jackson Keyser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassius-jackson-keyser/) > [But there is another reason for the high repute of mathematics: it is mathematics that offers the exact natural sciences a certain measure of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/but-there-is-another-reason-for-the-high-repute-of-mathematics-it-is/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) ## More by Greg Graffin > [“Anarchy Evolution: Faith, Science and Bad Religion in a World Without God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/anarchy-evolution-faith-science-and-bad-religion-in-a-world-without/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [It's my firm conclusion that human meaning comes from humans, not from a supernatural source. After we die, our hopes for an afterlife reside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/it-s-my-firm-conclusion-that-human-meaning-comes-from-humans-not-from/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [Here's the thing, who cares what you have to look at, I'm a big advocate of not obscuring vistas, but even if you build…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/here-s-the-thing-who-cares-what-you-have-to-look-at-i-m-a-big/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [You can't let your personal disposition be dictated by the world around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/you-can-t-let-your-personal-disposition-be-dictated-by-the-world/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [Life is never static. Despite catastrophic tragedies, life has persisted in evolving new varieties of unimaginable forms. 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We use it as almost an active participant,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/the-trick-is-how-do-you-talk-about-natural-selection-without-implying/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [I guess rock stars are role models for the kids who listen to that music. My role models have all been geologists - you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-guess-rock-stars-are-role-models-for-the-kids-who-listen-to-that/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [I don't mind if other people call me an atheist, but I call myself a naturalist. Atheism doesn't tell you much about what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-don-t-mind-if-other-people-call-me-an-atheist-but-i-call-myself-a/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [I view music as entertainment. When I'm on stage, I don't look at that as a platform for sharing ideology. Otherwise I'd be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-view-music-as-entertainment-when-i-m-on-stage-i-don-t-look-at-that/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [Bad Religion's tradition has always been to try and provoke people but hopefully lead them to a better sense of who they are and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/bad-religion-s-tradition-has-always-been-to-try-and-provoke-people/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [Whether or not punk is the flavor of the month is not important for us. Bad Religion has been popular through many different climates.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/whether-or-not-punk-is-the-flavor-of-the-month-is-not-important-for/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) [Explore all 116 Greg Graffin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) ## More Atheism quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. 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Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [God speaks through me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/god-speaks-through-me/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [You cannot ... transmute some incoherent mixture of words into sense merely by introducing the three-letter word "God" to be its grammatical subject.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-flew/you-cannot-transmute-some-incoherent-mixture-of-words-into-sense/) [Antony Flew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-flew/) > [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/) [Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/) > [If, with all the time at my disposal, with all the wealth of the resources of this vast universe, to do with as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/if-with-all-the-time-at-my-disposal-with-all-the-wealth-of-the/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [Do you think that was kind? 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