--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I went with agnosticism for a long, long…" description: "\"I went with agnosticism for a long, long time because I just hated to say I was an atheist - being an atheist seemed so rigid. But the more I became co..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c23/julia-sweeney-20217_agnosticism_i-went-with-agnosticism-for-a-long-long_1460363.png" --- # I went with agnosticism for a long, long time because I… ![“I went with agnosticism for a long, long time because I just hated to say I was an atheist - being an atheist seemed so rigid. But the more I became comfortable with the word, and the more I read, it started to stick.” quote by Julia Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c23/julia-sweeney-20217_agnosticism_i-went-with-agnosticism-for-a-long-long_1460363.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c23/julia-sweeney-20217_agnosticism_i-went-with-agnosticism-for-a-long-long_1460363.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c23/julia-sweeney-20217_agnosticism_i-went-with-agnosticism-for-a-long-long_1460363.png) > “I went with agnosticism for a long, long time because I just hated to say I was an atheist - being an atheist seemed so rigid. But the more I became comfortable with the word, and the more I read, it started to stick.” [Julia Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-sweeney/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She describes moving from agnosticism to atheism as a gradual comfort with the label after reading and reflection. **In simple terms:** She became comfortable calling herself an atheist. Key Takeaway Embrace labels that reflect your true beliefs. Themes belief identity religion personal growth Mood reflective thoughtful Type personal narrative philosophical When to use this quote - discussions about faith - personal essays - public speaking - online forums Key Concepts atheism agnosticism self‑acceptance Questions to Reflect On - How does language shape your belief identity? - What helped you feel safe adopting the term? A Different Perspective Labels can invite unwanted judgment or social friction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Agnosticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agnosticism/) [Atheist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheist/) [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Catholic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/catholic/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I just became a stronger agnostic, and then I started to realize that everyone who was saying they were agnostic really hadn't thought about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-sweeney/i-just-became-a-stronger-agnostic-and-then-i-started-to-realize-that/) [Julia Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-sweeney/) > [I am an atheist, out and out. It took me a long time to say it. I've been an atheist for years and years,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/i-am-an-atheist-out-and-out-it-took-me-a-long-time-to-say-it-i-ve/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [As a philosopher, if I were speaking to a purely philosophic audience I should say that I ought to describe myself as an Agnostic,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/as-a-philosopher-if-i-were-speaking-to-a-purely-philosophic-audience/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [I say I’m an atheist but I wouldn’t mind being visited by a ghost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-dormer/i-say-i-m-an-atheist-but-i-wouldn-t-mind-being-visited-by-a-ghost/) [Natalie Dormer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-dormer/) > [“I am an atheist, out and out. It took me a long time to say it. I've been an atheist for years and years,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/i-am-an-atheist-out-and-out-it-took-me-a-long-time-to-say-it-i-ve-2/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [Religion, certainly in the U.K., used to hold our fears and our discussions about death. That's where we saw death, in church or in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-carr/religion-certainly-in-the-u-k-used-to-hold-our-fears-and-our/) [Liz Carr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-carr/) > [“But it’s atheists who say that the world wasn’t made by anyone, and you say you’re not an atheist . . ." I’m not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umberto-eco/but-it-s-atheists-who-say-that-the-world-wasn-t-made-by-anyone-and/) [Umberto Eco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umberto-eco/) > [Those Christians who are very strict in their observances, think a good deal more of the Sabbath than of man, a great deal more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/those-christians-who-are-very-strict-in-their-observances-think-a/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [I don't say that I'm an atheist. I don't like that term, because I think it mirrors the certitude of religion. I say I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/i-don-t-say-that-i-m-an-atheist-i-don-t-like-that-term-because-i/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [I want a country where you can express different ideas peacefully and not be bothered and arrested unfairly for it. I want a country…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenza-fourati/i-want-a-country-where-you-can-express-different-ideas-peacefully-and/) [Kenza Fourati](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenza-fourati/) > [I bill myself as a naturalist because if you say you're a naturalist, it gives people a conversation point to talk about what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-bill-myself-as-a-naturalist-because-if-you-say-you-re-a-naturalist/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [People are always surprised when I say that I'm an atheist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodie-foster/people-are-always-surprised-when-i-say-that-i-m-an-atheist/) [Jodie Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodie-foster/) > [I consider myself a person who comes from a Muslim culture. In any case, I would not say that I'm an atheist. So I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orhan-pamuk/i-consider-myself-a-person-who-comes-from-a-muslim-culture-in-any/) [Orhan Pamuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orhan-pamuk/) > [I have the honesty to say I'm an Atheist. There is nothing that supports the idea of a personal God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernst-mayr/i-have-the-honesty-to-say-i-m-an-atheist-there-is-nothing-that/) [Ernst Mayr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernst-mayr/) > [I find it more comfortable to say I'm an atheist, and for that I probably have someone like Dawkins to thank.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-al-khalili/i-find-it-more-comfortable-to-say-i-m-an-atheist-and-for-that-i/) [Jim Al-Khalili](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-al-khalili/) ## More by Julia Sweeney > [Our family was too strange and weird for even Santa Claus to come visit ... Santa, who was jolly - but, let's face it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-sweeney/our-family-was-too-strange-and-weird-for-even-santa-claus-to-come/) [Julia Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-sweeney/) > [You know, in high school I thought Catholicism was funny and sort of ridiculous, but then I also liked it, too. Like, I definitely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-sweeney/you-know-in-high-school-i-thought-catholicism-was-funny-and-sort-of/) [Julia Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-sweeney/) > [I'm not an activist. I'm trying to get off the whole atheist racket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-sweeney/i-m-not-an-activist-i-m-trying-to-get-off-the-whole-atheist-racket/) [Julia Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-sweeney/) > [Losing my faith was the most spiritual thing that ever happened to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-sweeney/losing-my-faith-was-the-most-spiritual-thing-that-ever-happened-to-me/) [Julia Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-sweeney/) > [My philosophy involves imaging terrible things happening all the time, and getting used to it, so reality isn't so bad. And then you're always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-sweeney/my-philosophy-involves-imaging-terrible-things-happening-all-the-time/) [Julia Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-sweeney/) > [It was a fine cancer experience, as cancer experiences go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-sweeney/it-was-a-fine-cancer-experience-as-cancer-experiences-go/) [Julia Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-sweeney/) > [To a certain extent I am taking a leap of faith. I'm adding up the evidence on either side, and I'm seeing the evidence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-sweeney/to-a-certain-extent-i-am-taking-a-leap-of-faith-i-m-adding-up-the/) [Julia Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-sweeney/) > [It's fantastic to believe, because they get so many benefits. I get mad at the atheist community when they put down believers because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-sweeney/it-s-fantastic-to-believe-because-they-get-so-many-benefits-i-get-mad/) [Julia Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-sweeney/) > [If I look over my life, every single step of maturing for me, every single one, has had the exact same common denominator: accepting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-sweeney/if-i-look-over-my-life-every-single-step-of-maturing-for-me-every/) [Julia Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-sweeney/) > [I get mad at people who talk about traumatic job interviews, about going on one and getting rejected. I get rejected all the time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-sweeney/i-get-mad-at-people-who-talk-about-traumatic-job-interviews-about/) [Julia Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-sweeney/) > [Why isn't there a book about someone losing their faith and it being a beautiful experience?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-sweeney/why-isn-t-there-a-book-about-someone-losing-their-faith-and-it-being/) [Julia Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-sweeney/) > [I used to think no one should go into show biz, but now I feel differently. I now feel like it's a great career.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-sweeney/i-used-to-think-no-one-should-go-into-show-biz-but-now-i-feel/) [Julia Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-sweeney/) > [Don't get me wrong, I'm not ashamed of my body, I just don't see any reason to not cover it up as much as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-sweeney/don-t-get-me-wrong-i-m-not-ashamed-of-my-body-i-just-don-t-see-any/) [Julia Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-sweeney/) > [Well, you can't be depressed and sad 24 hours a day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-sweeney/well-you-can-t-be-depressed-and-sad-24-hours-a-day/) [Julia Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-sweeney/) > [I like going back and writing fiction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-sweeney/i-like-going-back-and-writing-fiction/) [Julia Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-sweeney/) [Explore all 31 Julia Sweeney quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-sweeney/) ## More Agnosticism quotes > [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/) > [The prayer of the agnostic: "O God, if there is a God, save my soul if I have a soul."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-renan/the-prayer-of-the-agnostic-o-god-if-there-is-a-god-save-my-soul-if-i/) [Ernest Renan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-renan/) > [“Some people are so stiff and inhumane as the dogma's they believe in”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bangambiki-habyarimana/some-people-are-so-stiff-and-inhumane-as-the-dogma-s-they-believe-in/) [Bangambiki Habyarimana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bangambiki-habyarimana/) > [Agnosticism is the natural attitude of the evolutionist. How can a brute mind comprehend spiritual things?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/agnosticism-is-the-natural-attitude-of-the-evolutionist-how-can-a/) [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) > [“An atheist is someone who is disappointed in his search of god. He is a man who strongly needed god but couldn't find him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bangambiki-habyarimana/an-atheist-is-someone-who-is-disappointed-in-his-search-of-god-he-is/) [Bangambiki Habyarimana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bangambiki-habyarimana/) > [Intellect, at its best, can make you agnostic. Being theist or atheist is still a matter of choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raheel-farooq/intellect-at-its-best-can-make-you-agnostic-being-theist-or-atheist/) [Raheel Farooq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raheel-farooq/) > [To be agnostic is to be open-minded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-be-agnostic-is-to-be-open-minded/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The religious hypothesis, therefore, must be considered only as a particular method of accounting for the visible phenomena of the universe: but no just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hume/the-religious-hypothesis-therefore-must-be-considered-only-as-a/) [David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hume/) > [The world is continuous flux and is impermanent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/the-world-is-continuous-flux-and-is-impermanent/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) > [“I'm agnostic. By definition, I'm unsure of what to believe in, but I'm also borderline-capable of believing in anything and everything, or nothing at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-lola/i-m-agnostic-by-definition-i-m-unsure-of-what-to-believe-in-but-i-m/) [Lauren Lola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-lola/) > [“The Agnostic is one who asserts 'what no one denies' that there are limits to the sphere of human intelligence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-stephen/the-agnostic-is-one-who-asserts-what-no-one-denies-that-there-are/) [Leslie Stephen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-stephen/) > [I have only a small flickering light to guide me in the darkness of a thick forest. Up comes a theologian and blows it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-diderot/i-have-only-a-small-flickering-light-to-guide-me-in-the-darkness-of-a/) [Denis Diderot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-diderot/) > [“...The Presidential election has given me less anxiety than I myself could have imagined. The next administration will be a troublesome one, to whomsoever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/the-presidential-election-has-given-me-less-anxiety-than-i-myself/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [We are enabled to apprehend at all what is sublime and noble only by the perpetual instilling and drenching of the reality that surrounds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/we-are-enabled-to-apprehend-at-all-what-is-sublime-and-noble-only-by/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“We should be agnostic about those things for which there is no evidence. We should not hold beliefs merely because they gratify our desires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-should-be-agnostic-about-those-things-for-which-there-is-no/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 275 Agnosticism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agnosticism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I went with agnosticism for a long, long time because I just hated to say I was an atheist - being an atheist seemed so rigid. 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