Kai Nielsen

[Ryft]

To show that an argument is invalid or unsound is not to show that the conclusion of the argument is false ... All the proofs of God's existence may fail, but it still may be the case that God exists.

(Reason and Practice. Harper & Row, 1971: pp. 143-144)

[Minimalist]

Ah ha! Dueling quotations!!! En garde, monsieur.

It is often argued that religion is valuable because it makes men good, but even if this were true it would not be a proof that religion is true. That would be an extension of pragmatism beyond endurance. Santa Claus makes children good in precisely the same way, and yet no one would argue seriously that the fact proves his existence. The defense of religion is full of such logical imbecilities.

-- H. L. Mencken

[Ryft]

It is often argued that religion is valuable because it makes men good ...

It is? By whom, and where?

(Alas, he's dead so he can't answer.)

[Minimalist]

It is often argued that religion is valuable because it makes men good ...

It is? By whom, and where?

(Alas, he's dead so he can't answer.)

Even George Washington made such silly statements.

“Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”

Washington was a great man and a deist so he can be forgiven that little bit of stupidity.

Nonetheless, I agree with you that it is a shame Mencken is no longer with us. We could really use him now.