Believe in god Quote by Ludwig Feuerbach
““Real, sensational existence is that which is not dependent on my own mental spontaneity or activity … But God is not seen, is not heard, not perceived by the senses. He does not exist for me, if I do not exist for him; if I do not believe in God, there is no God for me. … Thus he exists only in so far as he is felt, … His existence therefore is a real one, yet at the same time not a real one - a spiritual existence says the theologian. But spiritual existence is only an existence in thought, in feeling, in belief; … he is a sensational existence, to which however all the conditions of sensational existence are wanting: … at once sensational and not sensational[.]””
About This Quote
Source Philosophical Essay: The Essence of Religion, Ludwig Feuerbach, 1841
God’s existence is tied to human perception; without belief, God is not real, yet the feeling of God is a spiritual reality.
In simple terms: God exists only as a feeling or belief, not independently.
Key Takeaway
Recognize belief shapes perceived reality.
Themes
faith
perception
existence
spirituality
Mood
contemplative
skeptical
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- religious debate
- existential reflection
- meditative practice
Key Concepts
subjective reality
theology
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- What does belief mean to you?
- Can something be real without being perceived?
A Different Perspective
The view may overlook objective evidence or communal aspects of religion.
![“As Israel made the wants of his national existence the law of the world, as under the dominance of these wants he deified even his political vindictiveness; so the Christian made the requirements of human feeling the absolute powers and laws of the world. [T]hat is, indeed, only of man considered…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dd1/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_abrahamism_as-israel-made-the-wants-of-his-national_31284.jpg)
![“Religion annexes to its doctrines a curse and a blessing … Blessed is he that believeth, cursed is he that believeth not. Thus it appeals not to reason, but to feeling, … to the passions of hope and fear. … [T]he fear of hell urges me to believe. Even supposing my belief to be in its origin free…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70b/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_belief_religion-annexes-to-its-doctrines-a-curs_35960.jpg)
![“[T]o think God is therefore to affirm what God is, to establish the being of God as an act. That God is thought, cognised, is essential; that this tree is thought, is to the tree accidental, unessential. … [H]ow is it possible that God – if he is to exist for us, to be an object to us – must…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ef5/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_infinite_t-o-think-god-is-therefore-to-affirm-wha_219124.jpg)
![“The essence of faith … is the idea that that which man wishes actually is: he wishes to be immortal, therefore he is immortal; he wishes for the existence of a being who can do everything which is impossible to Nature and reason, therefore such a being exists[.]” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bb8/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_faith_the-essence-of-faith-is-the-idea-that-th_247786.jpg)
![“[H]eavenly personality, or the perpetuation of human personality in heaven is nothing else than personality released from all earthly encumbrances and limitations[.] [H]ere we are men, there gods[.]” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3a6/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_clinging-to-self_h-eavenly-personality-or-the-perpetuatio_340334.jpg)
![“[A]lthough the deeds opposed to love which mark Christian religious history, are in accordance with Christianity, and its antagonists are therefore right in imputing to it the horrible actions resulting from dogmatic creeds; those deeds nevertheless at the same time contradict Christianity…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6ab/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_accepting-love_a-lthough-the-deeds-opposed-to-love-whic_414411.jpg)
