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. Never a word of it is literally true. Even so, the next thing that happened, happened like this:””
About This Quote
Source Short story, "The Sandman: The Wake", 2013
He describes religion as metaphorical, emphasizing its symbolic role rather than literal truth.
In simple terms: Religion is seen as a metaphor, not literal fact.
Key Takeaway
Recognize symbolic meaning in belief systems.
Themes
religion
metaphor
meaning
skepticism
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- interfaith dialogue
- academic study
Key Concepts
symbolic interpretation
philosophical inquiry
Questions to Reflect On
- How do metaphors shape faith?
- Can symbolism coexist with literal belief?
A Different Perspective
Metaphorical view may overlook lived experiences.
![“[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)
