The happiness of credulity.

“The fact that a believer is happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one. The happiness of credulity is a cheap and dangerous quality of happiness, and by no means a necessity of life.”
―George Bernard Shaw, "Androcles and the Lion"

"We are dust and shadows."

"Pulvis et umbra sumus." What else is there?

-Cassandra Clare "Clockwork Angel"

Is God ashamed of us?

Phillip Pullman, renowned English fantasy author and author of the book, The Good Man Jesus and The Scoundrel Christ, has something to say about whether God really approves of his followers' behavior.

“I think it's perfectly possible to explain how the universe came about without bringing God into it, but I don't know everything, and there may well be a God somewhere, hiding away. Actually, if he is keeping out of sight, it's because he's ashamed of his followers and all the cruelty and ignorance they're responsible for promoting in his name. If I were him, I'd want nothing to do with them.”
―Philip Pullman

Why are religious organizations tax exempt?

I've always felt that the good works that churches do can't make up for the billions lost in tax revenue that could do so much more. Imagine if churches paid taxes and still went on missions to rebuild homes and donate clothing and organize food drives. We'd all be so much better off.

I am my own God.

Henry Charles Bukowski (born Heinrich Karl Bukowski; August 16, 1920 – March 9, 1994) was a German-born American poet, novelist and short story writer."

“For those who believe in God, most of the big questions are answered. But for those of us who can't readily accept the God formula, the big answers don't remain stone-written. We adjust to new conditions and discoveries. We are pliable. Love need not be a command nor faith a dictum. I am my own god. We are here to unlearn the teachings of the church, state, and our educational system. We are here to drink beer. We are here to kill war. We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us.” ― Charles Bukowski