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About this quote

What does it mean?
People label the unknowable as God to avoid the mental effort of understanding complex mysteries.
In plain terms
We call things God when we dont understand them so we dont have to think hard.
What can you take from it?
Recognize when 'God' is used as a shortcut for ignorance.

Where it applies

  • theological debate
  • science communication
  • daily reasoning

Putting it to work

  • ask deeper questions
  • study science
  • challenge assumptions

Questions to consider

  • What do you call when you dont understand?
  • Is ignorance always bad?

Another view

Faith often provides meaning beyond mere cognitive avoidance.

More from Edward Abbey

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  3. Love can defeat that nameless terror. Loving one another, we take the sting from death. Loving our mysterious blue planet, we resolve riddles and dissolve all …

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