Acquaintance Quote by Natalie Angier
“When I sent out a casual and nonscientific poll of my own to a wide cast of acquaintances, friends and colleagues, I was surprised, but not really, to learn that maybe 60 percent claimed a belief in a God of some sort, including people I would have bet were unregenerate skeptics. Others just shrugged. They don't think about this stuff. It doesn't matter to them. They can't know, they won't beat themselves up trying to know and for that matter they don't care if their kids believe or not.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Scientific American, 1998
Many people claim belief in a deity despite being skeptical, showing belief often persists without deep reflection.
In simple terms: People often claim belief without thinking deeply.
Key Takeaway
Recognize belief may be superficial.
Themes
belief
skepticism
culture
Mood
curious
reflective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- casual conversations
- surveys
- family discussions
Key Concepts
psychology of belief
social conformity
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do people claim beliefs they don't examine?
- How does social context shape belief?
A Different Perspective
Belief may be influenced by social pressure, not conviction.
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