Atheism Quote by Joseph Campbell
“There seem to be only two kinds of people: Those who think that metaphors are facts, and those who know that they are not facts. Those who know they are not facts are what we call "atheists," and those who think they are facts are "religious." Which group really gets the message?”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Power of Metaphor, 1972
People split into those who treat metaphors as literal truths and those who see them as symbolic; the former are labeled religious, the latter atheists.
In simple terms: Two groups: literal metaphor believers vs symbolic believers.
Key Takeaway
Question the labeling of belief based on metaphor interpretation.
Themes
philosophy
religion
language
critical thinking
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- debates
- education
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
epistemology
semiotics
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines a fact versus a metaphor?
- Can one be both religious and analytical?
A Different Perspective
Metaphors can be both meaningful and misleading.
![“The fall [of your soul] from perfection into duality...was naturally followed by the discovery of the duality of good and evil...This is the Biblical version of a myth known to many lands.” quote by Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9ff/joseph-campbell-300_biblical_the-fall-of-your-soul-from-perfection-in_22526.jpg)
