Atheism Quote by Julien Offray de La Mettrie
“Therefore, since we may say, after such long experience, that religion does not imply exact honesty, we are authorized by the same reasons to think that atheism does not exclude it.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Discourse on the Nature of Man by Julien Offray de La Mettrie, 1748
Religion and atheism are not inherently linked to moral honesty; both can encompass ethical or unethical behavior.
In simple terms: Morality is independent of belief.
Key Takeaway
Judge actions, not beliefs.
Themes
ethics
belief
morality
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- legal judgments
- public policy
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
secularism
moral philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- Does belief influence your moral choices?
- Can ethical behavior exist without religious guidance?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that cultural contexts shape moral norms more than belief systems.
![“I think that [Jay] Gould's separate compartments was a purely political ploy to win middle-of-the-road religious people to the science camp. But it's a very empty idea. There are plenty of places where religion does not keep off the scientific turf.” quote by Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d7/richard-dawkins-115_camps_i-think-that-jay-gould-s-separate-compar_359975.jpg)
