Excuses Quote by P.W. Atkins
““Theologians could not even agree about the nature of their gods. These personages ranged from "blue touch-paper gods" who started everything and never interfered again, to "infinitely meddlesome gods who, as well as starting it off, police every elementary particle.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Chemical Universe: The Greatest Stories in Science, Peter W. Atkins, 1999
Scientists disagree on divine attributes, ranging from distant creators to intrusive overseers, highlighting human attempts to explain the unknown.
In simple terms: People argue about how involved a god is.
Key Takeaway
Consider multiple perspectives on the divine.
Themes
theology
philosophy
science
uncertainty
Mood
curious
thoughtful
Type
reflective
philosophical
When to use this quote
- Debates in philosophy classes
- interfaith dialogues
- personal spiritual reflection
Key Concepts
Divine agency
human cognition
metaphysics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your view of a god affect your actions?
- Can we ever truly know a deity’s nature?
A Different Perspective
Limits of human knowledge may oversimplify complex ideas.
![“[Religious belief is] outmoded and ridiculous. [Belief in gods was a] worn out but once useful crutch in mankind's journey towards truth. We consider the time has come for that crutch to be abandoned. It is a vacuous answer... To say that 'God made the world' is simply a more or less sophisticated…” quote by P.W. Atkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4df/p-w-atkins-58341_answers_religious-belief-is-outmoded-and-ridicul_151446.jpg)
![“[Religion is] a fantasy [and is] completely empty of any explanatory content. It is also evil.” quote by P.W. Atkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5bd/p-w-atkins-58341_atheism_religion-is-a-fantasy-and-is-completely_1051554.jpg)
![“[Religious belief is] outmoded and ridiculous. [Belief in gods was a] worn out but once useful crutch in mankind's journey towards truth. We consider the time has come for that crutch to be abandoned.” quote by P.W. Atkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/01c/p-w-atkins-58341_atheism_religious-belief-is-outmoded-and-ridicul_1091395.jpg)
