An atheist, like a Christian, holds that we can know whether or not there is a God. The Christian holds that we can know there is a God; the atheist, that we can know there is not. The Agnostic suspends judgment, saying that there are not sufficient grounds either for affirmation or for denial. At the same time, an Agnostic may hold that the existence of God, though not impossible, is very improbable; he may even hold it so improbable that it is not worth considering in practice. In that case, he is not far removed from atheism.
Bertrand RussellGod and Satan alike are essentially human figures, the one a projection of ourselves, the other of our enemies.
Bertrand RussellEthical metaphysics is fundamentally an attempt, however disguised, to give legislative force to our own wishes.
Bertrand RussellReligions, which condemn the pleasures of sense, drive men to seek the pleasures of power. Throughout history power has been the vice of the ascetic.
Bertrand Russell