Football team Quote by Neil Gaiman
““None of this can actually be happening. If it makes you more comfortable, you could simply think of it as metaphor. Religions are, by definition, metaphors, after all: God is a dream, a hope, a woman, an ironist, a father, a city, a house of many rooms, a watchmaker who left his prize chronometer in the desert, someone who loves you - even, perhaps, against all evidence, a celestial being whose only interest is to make sure your football team, army, business, or marriage thrives, prospers and triumphs over all opposition. Religions are places to stand and look and act, vantage points from which to view the world. So, none of this is happening. Such things could not occur in this day and age. Never a word of it is literally true, although it all happened, and the next thing that happened, happened like this:””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Guardian, 2012
The passage treats religion as a metaphorical framework, suggesting its narratives are symbolic tools rather than literal truths, offering comfort and guidance.
In simple terms: Religion is seen as symbolic stories that help people cope.
Key Takeaway
Use metaphor to find meaning beyond literal belief.
Themes
faith
metaphor
comfort
meaning
worldview
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- spiritual seeking
- community building
- ethical decisionmaking
Key Concepts
symbolism
psychology
cultural narrative
Questions to Reflect On
- How do metaphors shape your personal values?
- Can symbolic stories replace concrete beliefs?
A Different Perspective
Metaphors may oversimplify complex doctrines and ignore historical contexts.
![“[T]hey could not help being amused every time another little human believed itself the center of its world, as each of us does.” quote by Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/19e/neil-gaiman-29_amused_t-hey-could-not-help-being-amused-every_4551.jpg)
