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Quotes :   Reason





"I prefer rationalism to atheism. The question of God and other objects-of-faith are outside reason and play no part in rationalism, thus you don't have to waste your time in either attacking or defending."
(Isaac Asimov / 1920-1992)

"How so many absurd rules of conduct, as well as so many absurd religious beliefs, have originated, we do not know; nor how it is that they have become, in all quarters of the world, so deeply impressed on the minds of men; but it is worthy of remark that a belief constantly inculcated during the early years of life, while the brain is impressionable, appears to acquire almost the nature of an instinct; and the very essence of an instinct is that it is followed independently of reason."
(Charles Darwin / 1809-1882 / The Descent of Man / 1871)

"To those searching for truth -- not the truth of dogma and darkness but the truth brought by reason, search, examination, and inquiry, discipline is required. For faith, as well intentioned as it may be, must be built on facts, not fiction -- faith in fiction is a damnable false hope."
(Thomas Edison / 1847-1931)

"In the long run, nothing can withstand reason and experience, and the contradiction religion offers to both is palpable."
(Sigmund Freud / 1856-1939)

"The sleep of reason produces monsters."
(Francisco de Goya Y Lucientes / 1746-1828 / legend of an etched engraving / 1797)

"All religious notions are uniformly founded on authority; all the religions the world forbid examination, and are not disposed that men should reason upon them."
(Paul-Henri, baron d'Holbach / 1723-1789)

"Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear."
(Thomas Jefferson / 1743-1826 / to Peter Carr, 1787)

"Reason has always existed, but not always in a reasonable form."
(Karl Marx / 1818-1883)

"Nothing can be more contrary to religion and the clergy than reason and common sense."
(Voltaire / 1694-1778 / Philosophical Dictionary, 1764)



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