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complete absence of any supporting data whatsoever

"I've sworn off agnosticism, which I now call cowardly atheism. I've come to the position that in the complete absence of any supporting data whatsoever for the persistence of the individual in some spiritual form, it is necessary to operate under the provisional conclusion that there is no afterlife and then be ready to amend that if I find out otherwise." James Francis Cameron , interview with the Hollywood Reporter (March 23, 2010) Cameron directed two of the highest grossing films of all time: "Titanic" (1997) and "Avatar" (2009). Cameron has also written and directed several other blockbuster movies, including "The Terminator" (1984), "Aliens" (1986), "The Abyss"(1989), "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" (1991) and "True Lies" (1994). Promoting Understanding of Religious Suffering

every existing form

“During the ages, no rebellion has been of like importance with that of Woman against the tyranny of the Church and State; none has had its far reaching effects. We note its beginning; its progress will overthrow every existing form of these institutions; its end will be a regenerated world.” "Woman, Church, and State" by Matilda Joslyn Gage (1893) Promoting Understanding of Religious Suffering

not exactly to blame

“What a blessing to know there’s a devil, and that I’m but a pawn in his game / that my impulse to sin doesn’t come from within, and so I’m not exactly to blame.”  —Frank Loesser (ironically) in “What a Blessing” (1960) Promoting Understanding of Religious Suffering

greatest discoveries

“If someone could actually prove scientifically that there is such a thing as a supernatural force, it would be one of the greatest discoveries in the history of science. So the notion that somehow scientists are resisting it is ludicrous.” —E.O. Wilson, Esquire magazine (Jan. 5, 2009) Promoting Understanding of Religious Suffering

get away with anything

Knightley:  If only I wasn't an atheist, I could get away with anything. You'd just ask for forgiveness and then you'd be forgiven. It sounds much better than having to live with guilt. David Cronenberg :  Yeah, but you could always lie about being an atheist. I don't think an atheist could get elected in America right now. Knightley:  No, I don't think they could either. Keira Christina Knightley , Interview magazine (April 2012) Promoting Understanding of Religious Suffering

why not taper off

I turned to speak to God, About the world’s despair; But to make bad matters worse, I found God wasn’t there. God turned to speak to me (Don’t anybody laugh) God found I wasn’t there— At least not over half. The kind of Unitarian Who having by elimination got From many gods to Three, and Three to One, Thinks why not taper off to none at all. Robert Frost , "Not All There," Poetry magazine (April 1936); Frost, "A Masque of Mercy" (1947) Promoting Understanding of Religious Suffering

force that caused the problem

“My respect for the Abrahamic religions went up in the smoke and choking dust of September 11th. The last vestige of respect for the taboo disappeared as I watched the 'Day of Prayer' in Washington Cathedral, where people of mutually incompatible faiths united in homage to the very force that caused the problem in the first place: religion. It is time for people of intellect, as opposed to people of faith, to stand up and say 'Enough!' ” Richard Dawkins  "Time to Stand Up," written for the Freedom From Religion Foundation (September 2001) Promoting Understanding of Religious Suffering