Atheism Quote by John C Wright
““Anyone who is unimpressed with sneering atheism will be unimpressed by the famous science fiction works by Margaret Atwood or the fantasy of Phillip Pullman and those of their ilk. Pullman was as blasphemous as Heinlein was in Stranger In A Strange Land, but not as funny, and the ending of his His Dark Materials was dark indeed and unsatisfying. (Pullman’s hero and heroine end up parted by a law of nature invented at the last minute by a lazy author, which decrees that persons of different earths in the multiverse sicken and die if they immigrate). It is the kind of thing one reads when a surfeit of happy endings leaves a bad taste in the mouth, and you need a swish of pagan vinegar to wash out all that Christian saccharine endemic to Western civilization. Everyone likes a vacation from happiness occasionally, I suppose.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Future of Religion and Science Fiction, 2020
Some readers seek literature that challenges comforting narratives, preferring works that confront unsettling truths and reject sentimental optimism.
In simple terms: People sometimes prefer dark, critical stories over happy endings.
Key Takeaway
Embrace challenging narratives.
Themes
skepticism
literary critique
culture
fiction
religion
science fiction
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- reading choices
- literary analysis
- personal worldview
Key Concepts
nihilism
faith
cultural critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What value do you find in unsettling stories?
- How do such works shape your view of society?
A Different Perspective
Not all readers appreciate bleak endings.
