GettyRicky Gervais has never been shy about discussing how he doesn’t follow religion or believe in God, and now he’s taken down some of the biggest misconceptions about atheism in a new interview.
According to the Independent, in the Q&A session with journalist Nicky Clark, the comedian, writer and actor criticised people who misconstrue atheism for arrogance, before turning the claims of arrogance back on those with religious beliefs.
Gervais claimed believing that a god could be responsible for good things that happen even as tragedies continue to take place across the world is the ultimate form of arrogance. Shots fired!
BBCHe went on to list some of the biggest misconceptions about atheism, adding:
From equating it with Satanism to subtle confusions like ‘atheism is the belief there is no God’ as opposed to ‘atheism is the lack of belief in a God.’ A particularly annoying one is that atheism is smug or arrogant. What can be more arrogant than believing that the same God who didn’t stop the holocaust will help you pass your driving test?
Gervais then took to Twitter to expand on his thoughts, and gave his followers a brief lesson in the differences between atheism and agnosticism.
We are all agnostic as technically no one KNOWS if any gods exist. But some people BELIEVE anyway (theist) & some require evidence (atheist)
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) November 21, 2015
Technically of course we are also all agnostic about fairies. But some people believe (fairyist) and some people don't (Afairyist)
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) November 21, 2015
An atheist doesn't necessarily believe that no god exists. They just don't believe that any god exists. That difference confuses some.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) November 21, 2015
We all KNOW whether we BELIEVE in God or not. We just don't have any real knowledge of whether God actually exists or not.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) November 21, 2015
Here endeth the first lesson in theological terminology. Bless you, whichever God you believe in or lack belief in.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) November 21, 2015
I don't KNOW whether any gods exist. I am agnostic. I also don't BELIEVE that any of the gods on offer exist. I am therefore also an atheist
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) November 21, 2015
This isn’t the first time Gervais has had to defend his atheist beliefs against claims of arrogance. Hey, the man just loves his science, okay?
