It is in books, poems, paintings which often give us the confidence to take seriously feelings in ourselves that we might otherwise never have thought to acknowledge.
Alain De BottonRead
Atheism is having a heyday in the born-again United States.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Atheism is becoming more accepted and prevalent in modern American society.
In this quote, Alain De Botton observes the increasing prominence and acceptance of atheism in the United States, particularly in a society that has historically been dominated by religious beliefs. This shift signifies a cultural evolution where secular viewpoints are gaining traction, reflecting a broader conversation about belief, spirituality, and the role of religion in contemporary life.
Themes
AtheismSocietyBeliefReligionCulture
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about secularism in modern American society.
More from Alain De Botton
All quotes βTaking architecture seriously therefore makes some singular and strenuous demands upon us...It means conceding that we are inconveniently vulnerable to the colour of our wallpaper and that our sense of purpose may be derailed by an unfortunate bedspread
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The more closely we analyze what we consider 'sexy,' the more clearly we will understand that eroticism is the feeling of excitement we experience at finding another human being who shares our values and our sense of the meaning of existence.
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Good books put a finger on emotions that are deeply our own - but that we could never have described on our own.
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The challenge of modern relationships: how to prove more interesting than the other's smartphone.
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It is the most ambitious and driven among us who are the most sorely in need of having our reckless hopes dampened through immersive dousings in the darkness which religions have explored. This is a particular priority for secular Americans, perhaps the most anxious and disappointed people on earth, for their nation infuses them with the most extreme hopes about what they may be able to achieve in their working lives and relationships.
Alain De BottonRead
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