--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Oh my, I've just discovered what science…" description: "\"Oh my, I've just discovered what science shows us about our humble but spectacular place in the universe, and I have to say: it is thrilling and mind-b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/943/julia-sweeney-20217_america_oh-my-i-ve-just-discovered-what-science_1752341.jpg" --- # Oh my, I've just discovered what science shows us about… ![“Oh my, I've just discovered what science shows us about our humble but spectacular place in the universe, and I have to say: it is thrilling and mind-boggling beyond all imaginings! It makes the Bible so puny and uninspired, and certainly less poetic, by comparison. I'm terribly sorry. I sincerely…” quote by Julia Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/943/julia-sweeney-20217_america_oh-my-i-ve-just-discovered-what-science_1752341.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/943/julia-sweeney-20217_america_oh-my-i-ve-just-discovered-what-science_1752341.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/943/julia-sweeney-20217_america_oh-my-i-ve-just-discovered-what-science_1752341.jpg) > “Oh my, I've just discovered what science shows us about our humble but spectacular place in the universe, and I have to say: it is thrilling and mind-boggling beyond all imaginings! It makes the Bible so puny and uninspired, and certainly less poetic, by comparison. I'm terribly sorry. I sincerely misunderstood so much. I almost wish there were a God so I could be punished for all the suffering I have obliviously caused in the world. But since there will be no cosmic punishment for me, I will spend what time I have left working in a family planning clinic in Latin America. Good day.” [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. The speaker feels awe at scientific discoveries, sees religion as inadequate, expresses guilt, and commits to humanitarian work despite lacking divine judgment. **In simple terms:** Science amazes; religion feels insufficient; guilt leads to service. Key Takeaway Channel awe into compassionate action. Themes science religion guilt service humility Mood reflective determined hopeful Type philosophical personal When to use this quote - working in family planning - advocating reproductive health - confronting personal doubts Key Concepts existential awe ethical responsibility redemption Questions to Reflect On - How can scientific wonder coexist with spiritual meaning? - What motivates altruism without belief in divine reward? A Different Perspective faith may not provide external accountability; personal responsibility is essential. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) [Comparison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comparison/) [Family planning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family-planning/) [Humble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humble/) [Latin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/latin/) [Latin america](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/latin-america/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Mind boggling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind-boggling/) [Misunderstood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/misunderstood/) [Planning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/planning/) [Poetic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetic/) [Punishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punishment/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [I discovered science, and in the process I hope I became a better environmentalist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-lynas/i-discovered-science-and-in-the-process-i-hope-i-became-a-better/) [Mark Lynas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-lynas/) > [“The scientific world view works so well, explains so much and resonates so harmoniously with the most advanced parts of our brains that in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/the-scientific-world-view-works-so-well-explains-so-much-and/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [“I started out studying literature, but soon discovered that science was where I actually belonged. The contrast made it all the clearer: in science…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-jahren/i-started-out-studying-literature-but-soon-discovered-that-science/) [Hope Jahren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hope-jahren/) > [A technical failure that shows some attempt at aesthetic expression is of infinitely more value than uninspired success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecil-beaton/a-technical-failure-that-shows-some-attempt-at-aesthetic-expression/) [Cecil Beaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecil-beaton/) > [Protect your dreams from routine, average days, uninspired people and settling minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaenelle-frontin/protect-your-dreams-from-routine-average-days-uninspired-people-and/) Jeaenelle Frontin > [I yearn to live and love and burn, and yet so much of my time is spent faking and forgetting, faking and forgetting I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-foreman/i-yearn-to-live-and-love-and-burn-and-yet-so-much-of-my-time-is-spent/) [Jon Foreman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-foreman/) > [Obsessed is how the uninspired describe the dedicated, a poor excuse for doing nothing or being unhealthy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/obsessed-is-how-the-uninspired-describe-the-dedicated-a-poor-excuse/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Vin was coming to realize that her old goal in life - simply staying alive - was uninspired. There was so much more she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-sanderson/vin-was-coming-to-realize-that-her-old-goal-in-life-simply-staying/) [Brandon Sanderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-sanderson/) > [I'm often wary of using the word 'inspiration' to introduce my work -- it sounds too much like a sun shower from the heavens,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-tan/i-m-often-wary-of-using-the-word-inspiration-to-introduce-my-work-it/) [Shaun Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-tan/) > [Well, I just think through your career you go through different phases, and I just got sort of uninspired by the whole studio process…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-de-palma/well-i-just-think-through-your-career-you-go-through-different-phases/) [Brian De Palma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-de-palma/) > [When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lennon/when-i-went-to-school-they-asked-me-what-i-wanted-to-be-when-i-grew/) [John Lennon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lennon/) > [They told me I didn't understand the assignment, I told them they didn't understand life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lennon/they-told-me-i-didn-t-understand-the-assignment-i-told-them-they-didn/) [John Lennon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lennon/) > [The impious presumption of legislators and rulers, civil as well as ecclesiastical, who, being themselves but fallible and uninspired men, have assumed dominion over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-impious-presumption-of-legislators-and-rulers-civil-as-well-as/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [If I'm ever feeling uninspired, all I have to do is go see Exodus or Arch Enemy, and think 'Oh yeah, that's what we're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-king/if-i-m-ever-feeling-uninspired-all-i-have-to-do-is-go-see-exodus-or/) [Kerry King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-king/) > [There certainly are situations where I feel not empowered or uninspired. Particularly when the person's agenda is to intimidate through abusing their position or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tori-amos/there-certainly-are-situations-where-i-feel-not-empowered-or/) [Tori Amos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tori-amos/) ## 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/) > [I went with agnosticism for a long, long time because I just hated to say I was an atheist - being an atheist seemed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-sweeney/i-went-with-agnosticism-for-a-long-long-time-because-i-just-hated-to/) [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/) [Explore all 31 Julia Sweeney quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-sweeney/) ## More America quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I'm gonna bring America together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-gonna-bring-america-together/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [You live overseas, you see these exotic places and you want to know about them. But, weirdly, it also made me homesick for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-jennings/you-live-overseas-you-see-these-exotic-places-and-you-want-to-know/) [Ken Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-jennings/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. It's AIDS, it's herpes, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/freedom-in-every-sense-but-primarily-political-sense-a-rise-in/) [Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) [Browse all 20,382 America quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Oh my, I've just discovered what science shows us about our humble but spectacular place in the universe, and I have to say: it is thrilling and mind-boggling beyond all imaginings! It makes the Bible so puny and uninspired, and certainly less poetic, by comparison. I'm terribly sorry. I sincerely misunderstood so much. I almost wish there were a God so I could be punished for all the suffering I have obliviously caused in the world. But since there will be no cosmic punishment for me, I will spend what time I have left working in a family planning clinic in Latin America. 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