thought of the dy.331

“I maintain that thoughtful Atheism affords greater possibility for human happiness than any system yet based on, or possible to be founded on, Theism, and that the lives of true Atheists must be more virtuous--because more human--than those of the believers in Deity, . .

Atheism, properly understood, is no mere disbelief; is in no wise a cold, barren negative; it is, on the contrary, a hearty, fruitful affirmation of all truth, and involves the positive assertion of action of highest humanity.”

~ Charles Bradlaugh, "A Plea for Atheism," Humanity's Gain from Unbelief (1929)

thought of the day.330

“The freethinker has the same right to discredit the beliefs of Christians that the Orthodox Christians enjoy in destroying reverence, respect, and confidence in Mohammedanism, Mormonism, Christian Science, or Atheism.”

~ Theodore Schroeder, Constitutional Free Speech Defined and Defended in an Unfinished Argument in a Case of Blasphemy (1919).

thought of the day.329

“Let us not look back in anger or forward in fear, but around in awareness.”

~ James Thurber

thought of the day.328

“I believe that religion, generally speaking, has been a curse to mankind--that its modest and greatly overestimated services on the ethical side have been more than overcome by the damage it has done to clear and honest thinking.

I believe that no discovery of fact, however trivial, can be wholly useless to the race, and that no trumpeting of falsehood, however virtuous in intent, can be anything but vicious. . .

I believe that the evidence for immortality is no better than the evidence of witches, and deserves no more respect.

I believe in the complete freedom of thought and speech . . .

I believe in the capacity of man to conquer his world, and to find out what it is made of, and how it is run.

I believe in the reality of progress.

But the whole thing, after all, may be put very simply. I believe that it is better to tell the truth than to lie. I believe that it is better to be free than to be a slave. And I believe that it is better to know than be ignorant.“

~ H. L. Mencken’s Creed, cited by George Seldes in Great Thoughts

thought of the day.327

Nothing is certain but everything is not equally uncertain. All ideas should be put on a scale of probability which will show that though it is uncertain the sun will “rise” tomorrow, it is exceedingly more certain than the idea that Santa lives at the North Pole or that “God” exists.

thought of the day.326

Justice not vengeance. Compassion not righteousness. Reason not Faith.