Bertrand Russell

And if there were a God, I think it very unlikely that He would have such an uneasy vanity as to be offended by those who doubt His existence. -Bertrand Russell, philosopher, mathematician, author, Nobel laureate (1872-1970)

Russell is right in thinking that God does not have a vanity that would be offended by anyone's doubt about his existence. But of course Russell is not really interested in exploring God's character. His aim, as is often the case, is to mock those who believe in God, and indeed, God Himself, which might well offend Him, since Russell really should know better.

Jalaluddin Rumi, poet and mystic (1207-1273)

Many demolitions are actually renovations. -Jalaluddin Rumi, poet and mystic (1207-1273)

Equally, many so-called renovations are actually demolitions.

Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor and philosopher

Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones. -Marcus Aurelius, philosopher and writer (121-180)

Clearly, for Marcus Aurelius, the gods are made in his own image.

Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

One can promise actions, but not feelings, for the latter are involuntary. He who promises to love forever or hate forever or be forever faithful to someone is promising something that is not in his power. -Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, philosopher (1844-1900)

As is often the case, Nietzsche is confusing things here, in a very modern fashion. Neither love nor faithfulness nor even hate are primarily feelings but rather ways of acting.

Andrew Dickson White, diplomat, historian, and educator

The cardinal doctrine of a fanatic's creed is that his enemies are the enemies of God. -Andrew Dickson White, diplomat, historian, and educator (1832-1918)

It is revealing that White seems to think that fanatics are always religious. I think it is very common today for there to be decidedly nonreligious, even anti-religious, fanatics.

Charles R. Magel, professor of philosophy

Ask the experimenters why they experiment on animals, and the answer is: "Because the animals are like us." Ask the experimenters why it is morally OK to experiment on animals, and the answer is: "Because the animals are not like us." Animal experimentation rests on a logical contradiction. -Charles R. Magel, professor of philosophy

I think that this is a shameful distortion, considering that the source is a professor of philosophy. Experimenters experiment on animals because they can learn things that will be beneficial to humans. (They also experiment on humans in certain ways for the same reason.) It is morally acceptable to experiment on animals because animals are not like us in morally significant ways. What the experimenters say these differences are varies somewhat, but the argument is not nearly as simplistic as the professor puts it.

Hafez, 14th century Persian poet

Don't surrender your loneliness
So quickly.
Let it cut more deeply.
Let it ferment and season you
As few human
Or even divine ingredients can. -Hafez, poet (1315-1390)

In a very real and deep sense, we humans are alone. As close as we may be to others, or an other, we can't be completely known, nor can we fully know another person. One of the blessings of the Christian faith is that we know that we are known by another, the Other, and he loves us. Pondering our loneliness, realizing it and embracing it, should draw us closer to God.