Atheism Quote by Robert Green Ingersoll
“The ministers are in duty bound to denounce all intellectual pride, and show that we are never quite so dear to God as when we admit that we are poor, corrupt and idiotic worms; that we never should have been born; that we ought to be damned without the least delay… The old creed is still taught. They still insist that God is infinitely wise, powerful and good, and that all men are totally depraved. They insist that the best man god ever made, deserved to be damned the moment he was finished.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Lecture, 1880s, United States
He argues that religious doctrine promotes self‑denigration and fatalism, portraying humanity as inherently corrupt and doomed.
In simple terms: Religion is depicted as encouraging people to see themselves as worthless.
Key Takeaway
Question the narrative that humanity is inherently sinful.
Themes
religion
human nature
fatalism
Mood
skeptical
critical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- theological debate
- personal reflection
- social critique
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
theodicy
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- Do we need such harsh self‑judgment?
- How does this perspective affect moral responsibility?
A Different Perspective
The view ignores human capacity for growth and moral agency.
