--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The real reason why so few men believe in…" description: "\"The real reason why so few men believe in God is that they have ceased to believe that even a God can love them.\" — Thomas Merton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1c/thomas-merton-231_atheism_the-real-reason-why-so-few-men-believe-i_1696387.jpg" --- # The real reason why so few men believe in God is that they… ![“The real reason why so few men believe in God is that they have ceased to believe that even a God can love them.” quote by Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1c/thomas-merton-231_atheism_the-real-reason-why-so-few-men-believe-i_1696387.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1c/thomas-merton-231_atheism_the-real-reason-why-so-few-men-believe-i_1696387.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1c/thomas-merton-231_atheism_the-real-reason-why-so-few-men-believe-i_1696387.jpg) > “The real reason why so few men believe in God is that they have ceased to believe that even a God can love them.” [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Many men reject belief in God because they doubt even a divine being could love them personally. **In simple terms:** Doubt in divine love hinders belief. Key Takeaway Cultivate trust in love. Themes faith belief self‑worth divine love Mood hopeful introspective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - spiritual counseling - personal crisis - mental health support - community groups Key Concepts theology psychology existentialism Questions to Reflect On - What experiences foster belief in divine love? - How does self‑love relate? A Different Perspective Some find love in human relationships, making divine love less central. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Atheist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheist/) [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Believe God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-god/) [Believe in god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-in-god/) [Ceased Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ceased-believe-474373/) [God Ceased](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-ceased-475969/) [God love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-love/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-believe/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [Don't seek to lead people to a God you have ceased to believe in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-maclaren/don-t-seek-to-lead-people-to-a-god-you-have-ceased-to-believe-in/) [Ian Maclaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-maclaren/) > [“She had never guessed at the doubts secretly quarrying their way into the heart of the rock. It was like learning that God had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hardinge/she-had-never-guessed-at-the-doubts-secretly-quarrying-their-way-into/) [Frances Hardinge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hardinge/) > [People believe in God because we are pattern-seeking, storytelling, mythmaking, religious, moral animals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-shermer/people-believe-in-god-because-we-are-pattern-seeking-storytelling/) [Michael Shermer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-shermer/) > [I do not believe in God and I am not an atheist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/i-do-not-believe-in-god-and-i-am-not-an-atheist/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [It takes more faith to be an atheist than to believe in God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-graham/it-takes-more-faith-to-be-an-atheist-than-to-believe-in-god/) [Ruth Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-graham/) > [In Gilead, the narrator's friend's son describes himself not as an atheist but in "state of categorical unbelief." He says, "I don't even believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-schwalbe/in-gilead-the-narrator-s-friend-s-son-describes-himself-not-as-an/) [Will Schwalbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-schwalbe/) > [According to the teaching of our Lord, what is wrong with the world is precisely that it does not believe in God. Yet it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-baillie/according-to-the-teaching-of-our-lord-what-is-wrong-with-the-world-is/) [John Baillie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-baillie/) > [“I do not go to church. I don’t go to Christian church or Jew church or any other church. I don’t go to church…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ian-black/i-do-not-go-to-church-i-don-t-go-to-christian-church-or-jew-church-or/) [Michael Ian Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ian-black/) > [“I don't believe in God, I only believe in Al Pacino, and that's the truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-bardem/i-don-t-believe-in-god-i-only-believe-in-al-pacino-and-that-s-the/) [Javier Bardem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-bardem/) > [If I did not believe in God, I should still want my doctor, my lawyer and my banker to do so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/if-i-did-not-believe-in-god-i-should-still-want-my-doctor-my-lawyer/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [If the being of God ceased for one second, the universe would disappear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/if-the-being-of-god-ceased-for-one-second-the-universe-would-disappear/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [God has never ceased to be the one true aim of all right human aspirations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandre-vinet/god-has-never-ceased-to-be-the-one-true-aim-of-all-right-human/) [Alexandre Vinet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandre-vinet/) > [“And now, O all ye that have imagined up unto yourselves a god who can do no miracles, I would ask of you, have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moroni/and-now-o-all-ye-that-have-imagined-up-unto-yourselves-a-god-who-can/) [Moroni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moroni/) > [It was man who first made men believe in gods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/critias/it-was-man-who-first-made-men-believe-in-gods/) [Critias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/critias/) > [Through all history, from the beginning, a noble army of martyrs have fought fiercely and fallen bravely for that unseen mistress, their country. So,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-william-curtis/through-all-history-from-the-beginning-a-noble-army-of-martyrs-have/) [George William Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-william-curtis/) ## More by Thomas Merton > [“Let no one hope to find in contemplation an escape from conflict, from anguish or from doubt. On the contrary, the deep, inexpressible certitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/let-no-one-hope-to-find-in-contemplation-an-escape-from-conflict-from/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [If nothing that can be seen can either be God or represent Him to us as He is, then to find God we must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/if-nothing-that-can-be-seen-can-either-be-god-or-represent-him-to-us/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [It is almost impossible to overestimate the value of true humility and its power in the spiritual life. For the beginning of humility is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/it-is-almost-impossible-to-overestimate-the-value-of-true-humility/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [We are not perfectly free until we live in pure hope. For when our hope is pure, it no longer trusts exclusively in human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/we-are-not-perfectly-free-until-we-live-in-pure-hope-for-when-our/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [The desire to kill is like the desire to attack another with an ingot of red -hot iron: I have to pick up the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-desire-to-kill-is-like-the-desire-to-attack-another-with-an-ingot/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [To enter into the realm of contemplation one must in a certain sense die: but this death is in fact the entrance to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/to-enter-into-the-realm-of-contemplation-one-must-in-a-certain-sense/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [The mission of Christian humility in social life is not merely to edify, but to keep minds open to many alternatives. The rigidity of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-mission-of-christian-humility-in-social-life-is-not-merely-to/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [Peace cannot be built on exclusivism, absolutism, and intolerance. But neither can it be built on vague liberal slogans and pious programs gestated in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/peace-cannot-be-built-on-exclusivism-absolutism-and-intolerance-but/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [Things that are good are good, and if one is responding to that goodness one is in contact with a truth from which one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/things-that-are-good-are-good-and-if-one-is-responding-to-that/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [Love winter when the plant says nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/love-winter-when-the-plant-says-nothing/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [The logic of worldly success rests on a fallacy: the strange error that our perfection depends on the thoughts and opinions and applause of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-logic-of-worldly-success-rests-on-a-fallacy-the-strange-error/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [“The wisdom of the flesh is a judgement that the ordinary ends of our natural appetites are the goods to which the whole of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-wisdom-of-the-flesh-is-a-judgement-that-the-ordinary-ends-of-our/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [I will no longer wound myself with the thoughts and questions that have surrounded me like thorns: that is a penance You do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/i-will-no-longer-wound-myself-with-the-thoughts-and-questions-that/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [If you write for God you will reach many men and bring them joy. If you write for men--you may make some money and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/if-you-write-for-god-you-will-reach-many-men-and-bring-them-joy-if/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [“Contemplation means rest, suspension of activity, withdrawal into the mysterious interior solitude in which the soul is absorbed in the immense and fruitful silence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/contemplation-means-rest-suspension-of-activity-withdrawal-into-the/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Explore all 851 Thomas Merton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) ## 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. 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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? 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