--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The claim to know that no god exists is…" description: "\"“The claim to know that no god exists is just irrational. The non-existence of any god has no evidence, let alone proof. To know something for certain ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/823/lewis-n-roe-21462_agnosticism_the-claim-to-know-that-no-god-exists-is_1067789.jpg" --- # The claim to know that no god exists is just irrational… ![“The claim to know that no god exists is just irrational. The non-existence of any god has no evidence, let alone proof. To know something for certain there must be proof. To hold to a belief there must be evidence. Until then, the only actual reasonable position is agnosticism.” quote by Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/823/lewis-n-roe-21462_agnosticism_the-claim-to-know-that-no-god-exists-is_1067789.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/823/lewis-n-roe-21462_agnosticism_the-claim-to-know-that-no-god-exists-is_1067789.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/823/lewis-n-roe-21462_agnosticism_the-claim-to-know-that-no-god-exists-is_1067789.jpg) > ““The claim to know that no god exists is just irrational. The non-existence of any god has no evidence, let alone proof. To know something for certain there must be proof. To hold to a belief there must be evidence. Until then, the only actual reasonable position is agnosticism.”” [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that asserting the non‑existence of a deity without evidence is irrational; only agnosticism is reasonable without proof. **In simple terms:** Claims about gods need evidence; without it, agnosticism is safest. Key Takeaway Adopt a stance of uncertainty when evidence is lacking. Themes skepticism evidence belief philosophy Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical argumentative When to use this quote - debates on religion - academic discussions - personal belief formation Key Concepts epistemology atheism agnosticism Questions to Reflect On - What evidence would change your stance? - How do you handle beliefs without proof? A Different Perspective Counterpoint: Some argue that lack of evidence can itself be evidence of non‑existence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Agnosticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agnosticism/) [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [God exists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-exists/) [Non existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/non-existence/) ## Related quotes > [Question with boldness even the existence of a god.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/question-with-boldness-even-the-existence-of-a-god/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [No evidence or proof of the existence of a God has been found in the phenomena of nature, based on experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-proteus-steinmetz/no-evidence-or-proof-of-the-existence-of-a-god-has-been-found-in-the/) [Charles Proteus Steinmetz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-proteus-steinmetz/) > [“The atheist might have no proof for the supernatural, but they also have no proof against it. If we start at a neutral position…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/the-atheist-might-have-no-proof-for-the-supernatural-but-they-also/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) > [All things proclaim the existence of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/all-things-proclaim-the-existence-of-god/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [An atheist is someone who is certain that God does not exist, someone who has compelling evidence against the existence of God. I know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/an-atheist-is-someone-who-is-certain-that-god-does-not-exist-someone-2/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [If belief in the existence of God is predicted to lead to a feeling of contentment, and the prediction is fulfilled, does it follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-posner/if-belief-in-the-existence-of-god-is-predicted-to-lead-to-a-feeling/) [Richard Posner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-posner/) > [Atheists say no one can prove the existence of God but I say no one can disprove that God exists I see God in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-harper/atheists-say-no-one-can-prove-the-existence-of-god-but-i-say-no-one/) [Shane Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-harper/) > [“To deny that there are sorrows and rewards after death is to deny the existence of God; since God exists, it must be necessarily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/collin-de-plancy/to-deny-that-there-are-sorrows-and-rewards-after-death-is-to-deny-the/) Collin de Plancy > [I have repeatedly said that in my opinion the idea of a personal God is a childlike one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/i-have-repeatedly-said-that-in-my-opinion-the-idea-of-a-personal-god/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I don't know whether God exists or not. ... Some forms of atheism are arrogant and ignorant and should be rejected, but agnosticism—to admit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-popper/i-don-t-know-whether-god-exists-or-not-some-forms-of-atheism-are/) [Karl Popper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-popper/) > [People are invariably surprised to hear me say I am both an atheist and an agnostic, as if this somehow weakens my certainty. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-barker/people-are-invariably-surprised-to-hear-me-say-i-am-both-an-atheist/) [Dan Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-barker/) > [Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epicurus/is-he-able-but-not-willing-then-he-is-malevolent/) [Epicurus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epicurus/) > [“All atheists will go to heaven. If god exists, not believing in him does not take him away and he cannot justly condemn those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bangambiki-habyarimana/all-atheists-will-go-to-heaven-if-god-exists-not-believing-in-him/) [Bangambiki Habyarimana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bangambiki-habyarimana/) > [“Please do not tell me that you speak to God on my behalf. If a god exists, I am a good enough man to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-pearce/please-do-not-tell-me-that-you-speak-to-god-on-my-behalf-if-a-god/) [Dan Pearce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-pearce/) > [“I'm always talking to God about whether or not he exists - that's how I know I'm a theist.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/i-m-always-talking-to-god-about-whether-or-not-he-exists-that-s-how-i/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) ## More by Lewis N. Roe > [“As far back as history records people thinking, thinking people have been befuddled by the mysteries of life and existence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/as-far-back-as-history-records-people-thinking-thinking-people-have/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) > [“God's being good does not somehow magically make all Christians good.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/god-s-being-good-does-not-somehow-magically-make-all-christians-good/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) > [“God could easily at any moment prove he existed beyond doubt with some amazing show of power which would have everyone kneel to him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/god-could-easily-at-any-moment-prove-he-existed-beyond-doubt-with/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) > [“We have to judge all evidence with the same amount of scrutiny. We want truth, not confirmation of whatever our preference is.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/we-have-to-judge-all-evidence-with-the-same-amount-of-scrutiny-we/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) > [“It's possible that aliens are building blancmange fortresses on a distant planet millions of light years away. It could be true even though we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/it-s-possible-that-aliens-are-building-blancmange-fortresses-on-a/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) > [“It's important to understand that if someone calls themselves a Christian, it does not automatically make everything they do an act of Christianity, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/it-s-important-to-understand-that-if-someone-calls-themselves-a/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) > [“The atheist might have no proof for the supernatural, but they also have no proof against it. If we start at a neutral position…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/the-atheist-might-have-no-proof-for-the-supernatural-but-they-also/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) > [“Science and observation can only ever tell us the way that things are. They have no influence on the way that things should be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/science-and-observation-can-only-ever-tell-us-the-way-that-things-are/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) > [“...personal experiences are probably the most convincing reason to believe for any individual who has had them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/personal-experiences-are-probably-the-most-convincing-reason-to/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) > [“Think of it this way: if you wandered into a cave and saw scratched into the wall some markings which on closer inspection read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/think-of-it-this-way-if-you-wandered-into-a-cave-and-saw-scratched/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) > [“To be good, is to be like God. Our purpose in life is to try and reach that standard. We will always fall short,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/to-be-good-is-to-be-like-god-our-purpose-in-life-is-to-try-and-reach/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) > [“If you are to suppose that natural reasons are the cause of everything, then it can only lead to the conclusion that consciousness is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/if-you-are-to-suppose-that-natural-reasons-are-the-cause-of/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) > [“Desire, problem solving, and communication are all signs of intelligence and awareness. My cat has these, so it's quite possible he has a soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/desire-problem-solving-and-communication-are-all-signs-of/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) > [“When looking for evidence that something exists, it's silly to start by assuming that it is impossible. Taking any assumptions into study is bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/when-looking-for-evidence-that-something-exists-it-s-silly-to-start/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) > [“We have laws in our country that tell us not to murder or steal and we have police that enforce them. The question is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/we-have-laws-in-our-country-that-tell-us-not-to-murder-or-steal-and/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) [Explore all 29 Lewis N. Roe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) ## 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": "“The claim to know that no god exists is just irrational. The non-existence of any god has no evidence, let alone proof. To know something for certain there must be proof. To hold to a belief there must be evidence. Until then, the only actual reasonable position is agnosticism.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lewis N. 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