“To believe in God is impossible; not to believe in Him is absurd.”
- November 21, 1694 – May 30, 1778
- Born in France
- Philosopher, man of letters, historian
- Wrote many works, including “Philosophy of History,” “De Toleration,” “Philosophical Dictionary,” “Philosophical Letters,” “Oedipus,” and “Candide,” and is known as a pioneer of Enlightenment thought.
Quote
“To believe in God is impossible; not to believe in Him is absurd.”
Explanation
This quote reflects Voltaire’s satirical critique of religious belief. He acknowledges the difficulty of believing in God, implying that it is a complex and challenging concept to embrace, yet argues that the opposite—denying the existence of God—is equally unreasonable or absurd. Voltaire’s words seem to expose the paradox of faith: while belief in God may not be straightforward or rational, the absence of belief, in his view, is just as irrational.
In modern contexts, this idea can be interpreted as a commentary on the tension between faith and skepticism. For many, belief in God is rooted in faith, which often transcends reason and evidence. Voltaire’s quote may be understood as acknowledging the limits of human understanding and reason when it comes to matters of belief, while also suggesting that rejecting God outright may lack logical foundation.
A specific example of this principle can be seen in debates between religious believers and atheists. Both sides may argue with great conviction, with believers maintaining faith in a higher power despite a lack of empirical evidence, while atheists may reject belief in God based on the absence of such evidence. Voltaire’s quote invites reflection on the complexities of faith, acknowledging both the challenges of belief and the perceived absurdity of disbelief.
