Without free speech no search for truth is possible... no discovery of truth is useful.
Charles BradlaughRead
The atheist does not say 'there is no God,' but he says 'I know not what you mean by God; I am without idea of God'; the word 'God' is to me a sound conveying no clear or distinct affirmation. ... The Bible God I deny; the Christian God I disbelieve in; but I am not rash enough to say there is no God as long as you tell me you are unprepared to define God to me.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses skepticism about the concept of God, emphasizing the need for clarity in definitions rather than outright denial of existence.
In this quote, Charles Bradlaugh articulates a critical view toward theistic claims by highlighting the necessity of a clear definition of 'God' before one can affirm or deny His existence. He distinguishes between rejecting specific interpretations of God found in religious texts, while acknowledging that without a shared understanding of the term, any declaration about God's existence or non-existence becomes problematic and presumption-filled. This perspective emphasizes the importance of language and clarity in philosophical and theological discussions.
Themes
AtheismPhilosophyGodSkepticismDefinition
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the nature of belief and skepticism in a philosophy class.
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