“Give the church a place in the Constitution, let her touch once more the sword of power, and the priceless fruit of all ages will turn to ashes on the lips on men.”

– Robert Ingersoll

“All that is good in our civilization is the result of commerce, climate, soil, geographical position, industry, invention, discovery, art, and science. The Church has been the enemy of progress, for the reason that is has endeavored to prevent man thinking for himself. To prevent thought is to prevent all advancement except in the direction of faith.”

– Robert Ingersoll

“There is no harmony between religion and science. When science was a child, religion sought to strangle it in the cradle. Now that science has attained its youth, and superstition is in its dotage, the trembling palsied wreck says to the athelete: “Let us be friends.” It reminds me of the bargain the cock wished to make with the horse: “Let us agree not to step on each other’s feet.” – Robert G. Ingersoll

“Tell me there is a God in the serene heavens that will damn his children for the expression of an honest belief! More men have died in their sins judged by your orthodox creeds, than there are leaves in all the forests in the wide world ten times over. Tell me these men are in Hell; that these men are in torment; that these children are in eternal pain, and that they are to be punished forever and forever. I denounce this doctrine as the most infamous of lies.” – Robert G. Ingersoll

“When I became convinced that the universe is natural, that all the ghosts and gods are myths, there entered into my brain, into my soul, into every drop of my blood the sense, the feeling, the joy of freedom. The walls of my prison crumbled and fell. The dungeon was flooded with light and all the bolts and bars and manacles became dust.” – Robert G. Ingersoll