--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Atheism is a belief system”, is like…" description: "\"Atheism is a belief system”, is like saying “not going skiing, is a hobby.\" — Ricky Gervais" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd6/ricky-gervais-851_atheism_atheism-is-a-belief-system-is-like-sayin_2593467.png" --- # Atheism is a belief system”, is like saying “not going… ![“Atheism is a belief system”, is like saying “not going skiing, is a hobby.” quote by Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd6/ricky-gervais-851_atheism_atheism-is-a-belief-system-is-like-sayin_2593467.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd6/ricky-gervais-851_atheism_atheism-is-a-belief-system-is-like-sayin_2593467.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd6/ricky-gervais-851_atheism_atheism-is-a-belief-system-is-like-sayin_2593467.png) > “Atheism is a belief system”, is like saying “not going skiing, is a hobby.” [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Labeling atheism as a belief system misrepresents its lack of dogma, like calling non‑skiing a hobby. **In simple terms:** Atheism isn’t a belief system. Key Takeaway Clarify atheism’s nature. Themes atheism belief logic Mood humorous critical Type satirical educational When to use this quote - debate clubs - educational talks - online forums Key Concepts philosophy religion critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - How do you explain atheism to believers? - What misconceptions persist? A Different Perspective Some view atheism as cultural identity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Atheist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheist/) [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Belief System](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief-system/) [Belief systems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief-systems/) [Hobbies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hobbies/) [Hobby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hobby/) [Skiing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skiing/) ## Related quotes > [Saying atheism is a belief system is like saying not going skiing is a hobby.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/saying-atheism-is-a-belief-system-is-like-saying-not-going-skiing-is/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [All theory of modernity in sociology suggests that the more modernity there is, the less religion. In my theory we can realize that this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulrich-beck/all-theory-of-modernity-in-sociology-suggests-that-the-more-modernity/) [Ulrich Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulrich-beck/) > [The only way to store information is by agreement. The belief system is like a Book of Law that rules our mind. Our biggest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-angel-ruiz/the-only-way-to-store-information-is-by-agreement-the-belief-system/) [Miguel Angel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-angel-ruiz/) > [“The Hierophant becomes a touchstone for many, either representing an artificial belief system (like religion or a work ethic) that we follow or through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-parnell/the-hierophant-becomes-a-touchstone-for-many-either-representing-an/) [Rob Parnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-parnell/) > [Atheism as 'belief in science, logic, and reality' is okay. Atheism as 'vocal disbelief of other beliefs,' is just hypocritical idiocy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/atheism-as-belief-in-science-logic-and-reality-is-okay-atheism-as/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Basic atheism is not a belief. It is the lack of belief. There is a difference between believing there is no god and not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-barker/basic-atheism-is-not-a-belief-it-is-the-lack-of-belief-there-is-a/) [Dan Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-barker/) > [ATHEISM... The Belief That There Was Nothing And Nothing Happened To Nothing, And Nothing Magically Exploded For No Reason, Creating Everything And Then A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/atheism-the-belief-that-there-was-nothing-and-nothing-happened-to/) Pacifiersucker > [“Of such divine neglect was atheism made; belief could not be rekindled now, however profound his terror. Thoughts”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/of-such-divine-neglect-was-atheism-made-belief-could-not-be-rekindled/) [Clive Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barker/) > [While 'Buddhism' suggests another belief system, 'dharma practice' suggests a course of action. The four ennobling truths are not propositions to believe; they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-batchelor/while-buddhism-suggests-another-belief-system-dharma-practice/) [Stephen Batchelor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-batchelor/) > [I've got this theory that human beings are innately religious; we have a belief system. It doesn't have to be a theist form, necessarily.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tana-french/i-ve-got-this-theory-that-human-beings-are-innately-religious-we-have/) [Tana French](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tana-french/) > [Inside we are all Golden Buddha's, but we grew to believe we were made of clay. Our ego's false perceptions led us to grow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-bernstein/inside-we-are-all-golden-buddha-s-but-we-grew-to-believe-we-were-made/) [Gabrielle Bernstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-bernstein/) > [The issue is that if you hold onto the resentment against yourself, you're just going to recreate that destructive pattern in different forms because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-bernstein/the-issue-is-that-if-you-hold-onto-the-resentment-against-yourself/) [Gabrielle Bernstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-bernstein/) > [I'm very, very suspicious of anybody that finds a belief system that they feel can explain it all, for themselves or for anybody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-tweedy/i-m-very-very-suspicious-of-anybody-that-finds-a-belief-system-that/) [Jeff Tweedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-tweedy/) > [Everyone thinks they've won the Magical Belief Lottery. Everyone thinks they more or less have a handle on things, that they, as opposed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-scott-bakker/everyone-thinks-they-ve-won-the-magical-belief-lottery-everyone/) [R. Scott Bakker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-scott-bakker/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) ## More by Ricky Gervais > [I was David Bowie-thin up to about 28, and then I discovered food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/i-was-david-bowie-thin-up-to-about-28-and-then-i-discovered-food/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [I don't like it when I see a racist comedian go up and say, 'What are we gonna do about all these immigrants?' and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/i-don-t-like-it-when-i-see-a-racist-comedian-go-up-and-say-what-are/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [The truth doesn't hurt. Whatever it is, it doesn't hurt. It's better to know the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/the-truth-doesn-t-hurt-whatever-it-is-it-doesn-t-hurt-it-s-better-to/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [If all the Atheists & Agnostics left America, they'd lose 93% of The National Academy of Sciences & less than 1% of the prison population.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/if-all-the-atheists-agnostics-left-america-they-d-lose-93-of-the/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [There are so many films now where you know the story is a supporting role to the visual effects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/there-are-so-many-films-now-where-you-know-the-story-is-a-supporting/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [When I was about to be famous, I feared it on a few levels. I feared it because I didn't want people to lump…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/when-i-was-about-to-be-famous-i-feared-it-on-a-few-levels-i-feared-it/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [It will be great to play a short, fat sweaty loser for a change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/it-will-be-great-to-play-a-short-fat-sweaty-loser-for-a-change/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [I went to university with no money. I can't understand a society that wouldn't give a poor person the same opportunity as a rich…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/i-went-to-university-with-no-money-i-can-t-understand-a-society-that/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [I'm a failed pop star. I always sneak a song into everything I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/i-m-a-failed-pop-star-i-always-sneak-a-song-into-everything-i-do/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [The grass isn't always greener on the other side!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/the-grass-isn-t-always-greener-on-the-other-side/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [I am myself sometimes, and I do state my opinions, but not in a comedy routine and not in my character. There always has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/i-am-myself-sometimes-and-i-do-state-my-opinions-but-not-in-a-comedy/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [Wearing cosmetics that were tested on animals makes you ugly on the inside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/wearing-cosmetics-that-were-tested-on-animals-makes-you-ugly-on-the/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [There's a difference between a job and a career - if you're the boss you don't stop at six o'clock, you have to worry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/there-s-a-difference-between-a-job-and-a-career-if-you-re-the-boss/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [Stupidity without malice isn't horrible; some people can't help it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/stupidity-without-malice-isn-t-horrible-some-people-can-t-help-it/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [It's interesting that music in this country... we sort of sold something to America with The Beatles and they sold something back. And we've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/it-s-interesting-that-music-in-this-country-we-sort-of-sold-something/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) [Explore all 351 Ricky Gervais quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) ## More Atheism quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [No philosophy, no religion, has ever brought so glad a message to the world as this good news of Atheism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-besant/no-philosophy-no-religion-has-ever-brought-so-glad-a-message-to-the/) [Annie Besant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-besant/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [God speaks through me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/god-speaks-through-me/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [You cannot ... transmute some incoherent mixture of words into sense merely by introducing the three-letter word "God" to be its grammatical subject.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-flew/you-cannot-transmute-some-incoherent-mixture-of-words-into-sense/) [Antony Flew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-flew/) > [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/) [Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/) > [If, with all the time at my disposal, with all the wealth of the resources of this vast universe, to do with as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/if-with-all-the-time-at-my-disposal-with-all-the-wealth-of-the/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [Do you think that was kind? Do you think it was godlike? What would you think of a physician, if a woman came to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-h-gardener/do-you-think-that-was-kind-do-you-think-it-was-godlike-what-would-you/) [Helen H. Gardener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-h-gardener/) > [Science can destroy religion by ignoring it as well as by disproving its tenets. No one ever demonstrated, so far as I am aware,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-c-clarke/science-can-destroy-religion-by-ignoring-it-as-well-as-by-disproving/) [Arthur C. Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-c-clarke/) > [Honest investigation is utterly impossible within the pale of any church, for the reason, that if you think the church is right you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/honest-investigation-is-utterly-impossible-within-the-pale-of-any/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) [Browse all 4,769 Atheism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Atheism is a belief system”, is like saying “not going skiing, is a hobby.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ricky Gervais" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/atheism-is-a-belief-system-is-like-saying-not-going-skiing-is-a-hobby/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Atheism" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/atheism-is-a-belief-system-is-like-saying-not-going-skiing-is-a-hobby/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd6/ricky-gervais-851_atheism_atheism-is-a-belief-system-is-like-sayin_2593467.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd6/ricky-gervais-851_atheism_atheism-is-a-belief-system-is-like-sayin_2593467.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd6/ricky-gervais-851_atheism_atheism-is-a-belief-system-is-like-sayin_2593467.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Atheism is a belief system”, is like saying “not going skiing, is a hobby.” — Ricky Gervais", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ricky Gervais", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Atheism is a belief system”, is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/atheism-is-a-belief-system-is-like-saying-not-going-skiing-is-a-hobby/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/atheism-is-a-belief-system-is-like-saying-not-going-skiing-is-a-hobby/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```