Atheists

Given the excesses, fears, and ignorance found in popular religion, Plutarch has no trouble understanding why thoughtful people would rather be atheists.  Indeed the gods themselves might prefer to have their existence denied than to be so maligned:

“Why for my part, I should prefer that men should say about me that I have never been born at all, and there is no Plutarch, rather than that they should say ‘Plutarch is an inconstant fickle person, quick-tempered, vindictive over little accidents, pained at trifles.  If you invite him to dinner and leave him out or if you haven’t the time and don’t go to call on him, or fail to speak to him when you see him, he will set his teeth into your body and bit it through, or he will get hold of your little child and beat him to death, or he will turn the beast that he owns into your crops and spoil your harvest.’ (Plutarch, On Superstition, 170A)”

from Divine Guidance by John A. Jillions